Milestones

CM urges private doctors to offer their services at state-run hospitals

The West Bengal Government has urged private medical practitioners to chip-in with their services at Government-run state hospital.

"We have adopted the public-private-participation (PPP) model in our health sector. Now, even private doctors can offer their services in Government hospitals. We think this will improve the quality of health service," said Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, the West Bengal Chief Minister.

Bhattacharjee said this while inaugurating the Golden Jubilee celebrations of All India Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology held in Kolkata, recently.

Pointing out that 72 per cent of the urban and 90 per cent of the rural population were still dependent on Government-run health facilities, the Chief Minister said that along with inviting private players in the health sector, the Government was doing its best in improving the state-run health service.

"It is essential to attract private investment in healthcare. The PPP model should be applied to improve health services in the state," he said.

The Chief Minister expressed great expectations from the upcoming 'Health City' that would cater to a large number of patients. There is a need for more efficient doctors and production of indigenous medicines.

The Chief Minister said that he has discussed with his counterparts from other states and the prime minister during his recent visit to New Delhi and urged them to allocate six per cent of the Central Budget for improving the health services. "We are taking financial help from agencies such as the World Bank and DFID to improve health services in rural areas."

The State Health & Family Welfare Minister, Dr Surya Kanta Misra, who was also present at the function said that although the neo-natal mortality in Bengal has been brought down to 194 per 1,000 from 256 per 1,000, the number still remained a matter of concern. He attributed the mortality to lack of access to institutional delivery as well as sterilisation.

EH News Bureau