Bengal allocated Rs 2,103 crore for National Health Mission; CM vows Centre–state cooperation for ‘double-engine benefits’

MP, May 31, 2026, Kolkata : Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday announced the establishment of a state-of-the-art central control room at Swasthya Bhavan to enforce a “zero tolerance” policy against hospital touts and the alleged practice of unnecessary referrals of critically ill patients from one hospital to another. He said the facility will function round-the-clock and maintain continuous surveillance over healthcare institutions across the state.

Adhikari also stated that healthcare facilities across the state will be renamed “Ayushman Mandirs” in line with central government guidelines. In addition, 467 new Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra outlets will be opened to improve access to affordable medicines.

He further stated that his government would work closely with the Centre to ensure that West Bengal receives all the benefits of a “double-engine government”, like several other BJP-ruled states. Speaking after the launch of the ‘Swachh App’ in the presence of Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar, Adhikari said there was significant scope for strengthening the state in the power and urban development sectors.

The Chief Minister announced that the National Health Mission (NHM) will be fully implemented in West Bengal from this year. Under NHM, the Government of India has allocated Rs 2,103 crore for the state, of which Rs 527 crore has already been released. He also said the state has received Rs 976 crore under the Ayushman Bharat programme for the current year and claimed that around 6 crore families will be brought under its coverage.

According to the Chief Minister, a central control room will directly monitor district hospitals and medical colleges in the state. The system will track whether touts are operating within hospital premises, whether doctors are attending duties on time, and whether patients are receiving proper medical services. It will also monitor cleanliness and the presence of stray animals in hospital premises.

To ensure effective oversight, trained personnel will be recruited for the control room. The government has also prepared a framework to strengthen coordination between government and private hospitals. Several private hospitals that earlier received government land at nominal rates will now be required to reserve up to 15 per cent of beds for patients referred from government hospitals. Economically weaker patients referred from government facilities will be entitled to free treatment in such hospitals.

Adhikari also noted disciplinary action against a senior medical officer at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital over alleged irregularities in patient referral.

The Chief Minister also launched a free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive for girls aged 14 years at Bidhannagar Sub Divisional Hospital and virtually inaugurated 100 new beds at SSKM Hospital. He said a statewide vaccination campaign has been launched across 235 health centres, with over 7.7 lakh vaccine doses provided by the Central Government.