Siliguri District Hospital to See Major Changes Within Six Months, Says MLA Sankar Ghosh

Siliguri MLA Sankar Ghosh has said that Siliguri District Hospital is expected to see visible improvements within the next three to six months. He said that a healthcare system that has been running for nearly 15 years cannot be changed completely within a few days.
Ghosh made the statement after attending a meeting of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti (Patient Welfare Committee) at Siliguri District Hospital. The meeting discussed the hospital’s existing facilities, problems faced by patients, shortage of staff and plans for improving healthcare services.
Following the recent political change in the state, Rogi Kalyan Samitis in several hospitals, including medical colleges and district hospitals, were dissolved and formed again under the newly elected MLAs. Ghosh said the new committee is now reviewing the overall condition of the hospital and identifying problems in infrastructure and patient services.
He said a detailed report would be prepared based on the issues discussed at the meeting. The report will be sent to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and the Health Department. The recommendations could also be considered while preparing future government budgets.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Ghosh said the discussions were held following directions from the Chief Minister. He said several important issues related to the hospital were reviewed and that the government would be informed about the problems and possible solutions.
The MLA also warned against middlemen and broker networks operating in the healthcare system. He said such activities would not be tolerated. If anyone is found involved in a broker syndicate or trying to exploit patients, strict action would be taken, he warned.
Ghosh said the government’s main goal is to make Siliguri District Hospital the “number one government hospital in West Bengal.” He admitted that the process would take time but said he was confident that the hospital would have a new identity and improved services within six months.
Several steps were discussed during the meeting. These include better management of patient attendants, identity cards for all hospital staff and tighter control over the entry of outsiders into the hospital.
Ghosh said lack of space is one of the biggest problems facing the hospital. The number of patients visiting the hospital is much higher than what the existing infrastructure can handle. He referred to the Chief Minister’s instruction that no patient should be forced to receive treatment while lying on the floor.
According to the MLA, expanding the hospital’s infrastructure will therefore be given priority. The government will also consider the requirements while preparing future budgets.
The shortage of doctors and nurses was another major issue discussed at the meeting. Ghosh said the government was aware of the shortage and would take steps according to the hospital’s needs. Recruitment of doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers would be seriously considered, he said.
Ghosh also highlighted the problems faced by patients and their families due to a lack of proper information. He said many people become confused or face unnecessary difficulties because they do not know where to go or whom to approach for different services.
To solve this problem, the administration plans to introduce a better information system at the hospital. The aim is to ensure that patients and their families can easily receive correct information and guidance.
The MLA also stressed the need to stop patients from being unnecessarily directed from government hospitals to private healthcare facilities. He said the government wants patients to receive proper treatment and services within the government healthcare system.
Ghosh said the meeting helped identify several weaknesses in the existing system. The government is now looking at different ways to address these problems. He expressed hope that the recommendations would become part of a detailed development plan and would also be considered during future healthcare budget planning.