Kolkata, 13 August (H.S.): Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda is scheduled to visit Kolkata on August 16 to formally launch healthcare services under the Ayushman Bharat scheme in West Bengal, ahead of the BJP-led state government's completion of 100 days in office.

Nadda is expected to attend an Ayushman Bharat programme at Netaji Indoor Stadium on August 16. Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari is also likely to be present at the event. The state government will observe August 16 as Ayushman Day, with healthcare services under the scheme scheduled to begin for beneficiaries from the same day.

According to sources, a second programme related to Ayushman Bharat is also likely to be organised at Netaji Indoor Stadium on August 17.

During his visit, Nadda may also attend a BJP training programme in Kolkata. The session is expected to focus on training party speakers who will subsequently be assigned responsibilities at training camps to be organised across different parts of West Bengal between August 22 and 30.

BJP National Joint General Secretary (Organisation) Shiv Prakash and the party's West Bengal in-charge Sunil Bansal are also expected to participate in the training programme.

Nadda's visit comes just days ahead of a proposed visit to Kolkata by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Shah is expected to arrive in the city on August 20 and may attend several party and government-related programmes on August 21 and 22.

The BJP-led state government is set to complete 100 days in office on August 19. According to party sources, preparations for Shah's visit are being undertaken against the backdrop of this significant milestone.

The launch of Ayushman Bharat services is expected to be one of the key events marking the government's approach to healthcare delivery during its initial months in office.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh