Cash to revive hospitals-- Malangi Hospital in Kalchini Block and the Ramjhora TG Hospital n Birpara-Madarihat block

TT, Alipurduar: The state government has allotted Rs 30 lakh for the revival of two hospitals located in the tea belt in Alipurduar.

According to sources, there are 62 tea estates in the district whereas the number of doctors is not adequate.

An official of the district administration said: "In tea estates, though the managements are liable to provide healthcare facilities to workers and their families as per the Plantation Labour Act, there are doctors available only in a few gardens. As a whole, the healthcare system is in shambles in most of the gardens."

This situation made district Trinamul leaders to approach chief minister Mamata Banerjee with a proposal of revival of two hospitals - the Malangi Hospital in Kalchini Block and the Ramjhora TG Hospital in Birpara-Madarihat block.

Both these hospitals had been closed for the past few years.

Mohan Sharma, district Trinamul president of Alipurduar, said: "The closed hospitals, erected by tea companies, are centrally located and if medical facilities are provided from these here, thousands of workers and their families would be benefited. As of now, tea dwellers have to bank on the state general hospital in Birpara or on the district hospital here for treatment."

Subarna Goswami, the deputy chief medical officer of health-II, Alipurduar said that there was a plan to make the hospital in Malangi a 100-bed hospital with all facilities, including surgery.

"In Ramjhora, a labour room with necessary infrastructure and staff will be opened," Goswami added.