Kolkata: Private hospitals in West Bengal must reserve 10% of their beds for free treatment, investigations, and medicines for patients referred from government hospitals when those state facilities lack adequate capacity, Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee announced on Thursday. The health department will launch a toll-free helpline number in the coming days to provide citizens with details of these services.
Administrative Meeting with Private Hospitals
Mukherjee held an administrative meeting with representatives of private hospitals at Swasthya Bhavan on Thursday, where this proposal was discussed and agreed upon. Private hospitals in and around the city have consented to reserve 10% of their beds for free treatment, investigations, medicines, and other services for patients referred by government hospitals, said Mukherjee, who took charge as the new health minister on Wednesday.
Referral Process for Patients
For patients visiting government hospitals, services will be provided there if beds are available. In case beds are not available at state hospitals, those patients will be referred to the nearest private healthcare facility, where they will also receive free treatment under this scheme, Mukherjee explained.
Previous Directive and Hospital Concerns
Earlier, the government had reiterated that all private hospitals that received free land for their establishments should continue to follow the earlier directive and reserve 15% of their beds for free treatment. While some private hospitals agreed to keep 10% beds aside for government hospital referrals, others claimed it was not fair. As private hospitals admit patients under various government health schemes, we already cater to patients who need free treatment. An additional 10% would be a burden on us. We need more clarity on this scheme, said the head of a private hospital.
The managing director of another private hospital stated that those who bought land from the market and did not avail of any government concession should not be treated the same as those who received free plots for their healthcare facilities.
Ayushman Bharat and Aadhaar Card Requirement
Mukherjee said patients who enroll themselves for the Ayushman Bharat health scheme will only need to show their Aadhaar cards at hospitals to get free treatment. There will be no need to show any other card. Only the Aadhaar card will have to be furnished at a hospital to establish a patient's identity, the health minister stated.
Medical Colleges in Every District
The health minister further added that every district in Bengal will have at least one medical college and hospital. Currently, there is no medical college in four districts. New ones will be established there, Mukherjee said.
