Tanmay Mondal
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014
The state of West Bengal saw a rapid deterioration of the health infrastructure during the 34 years of Left Front rule. After the new Government came to power in May 2011, one of the biggest expectations of the people was better healthcare facilities. The policies and initiatives taken by the Government led by Mamata Banerjee shows a will for change. Although there is still a lot to be achieved, the foundation has already been laid; the fruits will be enjoyed by the generations to come.
New multi-specialty hospitals at districts: The Government has planned to open 34 multi-specialty hospitals in different districts. Out of these, work for 13 hospitals has been started, and work orders for 21 others have been issued.
Free medicines and unveiling of healthcare facilities: The Government has also started distribution of medicines at all rural healthcare centers for free. Treatment, pathological examinations, medicines, diet and arrangement of easy transportation to hospitals everything have been made available free of cost to all pregnant mothers and children up to one year of age in the state.
Fair price medicine shops: Across the state, 63 fair price medicine shops, where discount are given in the ranges from 48% to 72%, have been opened in PPP model. Till February 2014, as many as 52 lakh people have been benefited through this. Medicines worth Rs 213 crore have been sold in this time period, and a total discount of Rs 130 crore has been given to the patients. Government has opened 47 fair price diagnostic centers in PPP model.
Others Infrastructural developments: More than 10,000 beds have been added in Government hospitals. Number of sick new born care unit (SNCU) has been increased from 6 to 37, and 198 new sick new born stabilization units (SNSU) have been set up during the tenure of new Government. 7 critical units has been opened while another 30 will be opened in different districts. 7 new Health Districts have been established at Nandigram, Diamond Harbour, Basirhat, Jhargram, Asansol, Bishnupur and Rampurhat.
'Sisusathi Prokalpo': The Government has also started a scheme thanks to which children affected by congenital heart diseases can avail Free of cost surgery for children, at 3 private hospitals including SSKM.
Special emphasis on pediatric treatment: For the first time ever 31 nutrition rehabilitation centres have been set up under Government-run health care system for children affected by malnutrition. Human milk bank namely ‘Madhur Sneha’ has been opened at SSKM hospital for the first time in eastern India.
First cord blood bank: A cord blood bank has been established in Kolkata, the first of its kind in the eastern region. Stem cells will be collected from Cord Blood and will be preserved after delivery at the School of Tropical Medicine. Stem cells can come handy in treating different complicated diseases such as diabetes, kidney and liver dysfunction, paralysis and cancer.
Health-care services to remote areas: 36 mobile health-care units have been introduced for extending health care facilities in the remote corners of Jangalmahal, Sunderban and tea-gardens.
Remarkable progress in respect of a few health indexes: There has been 20% decrease in mortality rate of mothers during child-birth and institutional delivery has become 79%.
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014
The state of West Bengal saw a rapid deterioration of the health infrastructure during the 34 years of Left Front rule. After the new Government came to power in May 2011, one of the biggest expectations of the people was better healthcare facilities. The policies and initiatives taken by the Government led by Mamata Banerjee shows a will for change. Although there is still a lot to be achieved, the foundation has already been laid; the fruits will be enjoyed by the generations to come.
New multi-specialty hospitals at districts: The Government has planned to open 34 multi-specialty hospitals in different districts. Out of these, work for 13 hospitals has been started, and work orders for 21 others have been issued.
Free medicines and unveiling of healthcare facilities: The Government has also started distribution of medicines at all rural healthcare centers for free. Treatment, pathological examinations, medicines, diet and arrangement of easy transportation to hospitals everything have been made available free of cost to all pregnant mothers and children up to one year of age in the state.
Fair price medicine shops: Across the state, 63 fair price medicine shops, where discount are given in the ranges from 48% to 72%, have been opened in PPP model. Till February 2014, as many as 52 lakh people have been benefited through this. Medicines worth Rs 213 crore have been sold in this time period, and a total discount of Rs 130 crore has been given to the patients. Government has opened 47 fair price diagnostic centers in PPP model.
Others Infrastructural developments: More than 10,000 beds have been added in Government hospitals. Number of sick new born care unit (SNCU) has been increased from 6 to 37, and 198 new sick new born stabilization units (SNSU) have been set up during the tenure of new Government. 7 critical units has been opened while another 30 will be opened in different districts. 7 new Health Districts have been established at Nandigram, Diamond Harbour, Basirhat, Jhargram, Asansol, Bishnupur and Rampurhat.
'Sisusathi Prokalpo': The Government has also started a scheme thanks to which children affected by congenital heart diseases can avail Free of cost surgery for children, at 3 private hospitals including SSKM.
Special emphasis on pediatric treatment: For the first time ever 31 nutrition rehabilitation centres have been set up under Government-run health care system for children affected by malnutrition. Human milk bank namely ‘Madhur Sneha’ has been opened at SSKM hospital for the first time in eastern India.
First cord blood bank: A cord blood bank has been established in Kolkata, the first of its kind in the eastern region. Stem cells will be collected from Cord Blood and will be preserved after delivery at the School of Tropical Medicine. Stem cells can come handy in treating different complicated diseases such as diabetes, kidney and liver dysfunction, paralysis and cancer.
Health-care services to remote areas: 36 mobile health-care units have been introduced for extending health care facilities in the remote corners of Jangalmahal, Sunderban and tea-gardens.
Remarkable progress in respect of a few health indexes: There has been 20% decrease in mortality rate of mothers during child-birth and institutional delivery has become 79%.
