Treating a patient is a service & should not be mixed up with business, says CM

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday urged doctors and para medical staff to work with a smiling face and assured that the state government would provide every possible help to the hospital authorities.

She was addressing a gathering at the inauguration of Indian Institute of Liver and Digestive Sciences at Sonarpur on Thursday afternoon.

Banerjee, along with President Pranab Mukherjee, arrived at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in the same flight on Thursday afternoon. Then they left for Makarampur where a temporary helipad was set up and later drove down 7 km to Jadadishpur where the function was held. Banerjee stated that treatment was free of cost to patients in state-run hospitals. The rates of infant mortality has gone down and institutional delivery has gone up to a great extent. "But treating a patient is a service and it should not be mixed up with business. Work with a smiling face and we will help you within our limited capacity," she said.

President Pranab Mukherjee lauded the efforts taken by the Chief Minister in both health and education sectors. He urged medical professionals to bring in that "human touch", saying a smiling face can cure a thousand lives. Mukherjee further said: "The relatives of patients who die in hospitals should understand that the doctors try their best to save lives but not everything is under their control. In case of any mishap, assault on doctors and para medical staff is uncalled for."

Mukherjee also lauded the efforts of Mamata Banerjee, who was present at the event, to rein in private hospitals in Kolkata after complaints of exorbitant charges. In February, Banerjee met representatives of top private hospitals and nursing homes in the state and told them that they should not think of only making profit and "ignore" poor patients.

He said the setting up of the institute to treat patients afflicted with liver problem was felt long ago. "Those who have money can go to Chennai, Mumbai and other places for treatment. This centre will help people coming from a middle-class background," he added.