Kolkata, 23 May (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday announced a series of major healthcare reforms, stating that nearly six crore beneficiaries under the state’s Swasthya Sathi scheme would now be brought under the ambit of the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat programme. He described the move as a “transformational change” in the state’s healthcare system.

The Chief Minister held a virtual meeting with officials of the Union Health Ministry earlier in the day. Later, addressing a press conference at Nabanna in the presence of Chief Secretary Manoj Agrawal and Principal Adviser Subrata Gupta, he outlined a new roadmap for the health sector in the state.

Adhikari accused the previous state government of opposing several central healthcare schemes, alleging that a lack of cooperation had deprived millions of people of benefits. He said that after the formation of the new government, various central health schemes were reviewed and large-scale reforms were now being implemented.

According to the Chief Minister, the enrolment process for Ayushman Bharat has already begun and the government aims to start distributing cards by July. He said that more than six crore existing Swasthya Sathi cardholders would be directly linked to the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Those who were not previously covered under Swasthya Sathi would also be able to avail themselves of health insurance benefits through a fresh application process.

He further announced that an agreement related to the Ayushman Arogya Mandir initiative would be signed in Delhi during the first week of June in the presence of ministers and officials from both the Centre and the state government. The Chief Minister added that nearly one crore people from West Bengal residing in other states would also benefit from the scheme.

Vaccination Drive for Cervical Cancer Prevention

The Chief Minister also announced the launch of a vaccination campaign aimed at preventing Cervical Cancer in the state. He said the Centre’s vaccination programme had begun across the country in February, but could not be implemented in West Bengal earlier.

The vaccination drive for girls aged 14 to 15 years will begin on May 30 and will be formally launched from Bidhannagar Sub-Divisional Hospital, where the Chief Minister is expected to remain present. A workshop under the TB Mukt Bharat initiative will also commence on the same day.

Adhikari further announced that more than 400 Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra outlets would be opened across the state to provide medicines at affordable rates. He claimed that medicines for serious illnesses would be available at discounts of up to 80 percent, reducing the cost of medicines worth Rs 2,000 to nearly Rs 200 in some cases.

The Chief Minister also stated that efforts would be made to establish medical colleges in every district of the state. At present, administrative districts such as Alipurduar, Kalimpong, Asansol and Dakshin Dinajpur do not have medical colleges. Necessary land and related proposals for these districts would be sent to the central government. He also said initiatives would be taken to establish an All India Institute of Medical Sciences facility in North Bengal.

Expressing concern over child mortality in the state, the Chief Minister said the death rate among children below five years of age remained high in several districts. He specifically mentioned Kolkata, Murshidabad, Purba Bardhaman, Birbhum and Malda as areas of concern.

He further stated that the Centre had allocated Rs 2,103 crore for West Bengal in the current financial year, of which one-fourth had already been transferred to the state.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey