Kolkata: While felicitating NEET toppers at Nabanna on Tuesday, CM Suvendu Adhikari said the state was committed to upgrading and expanding advanced healthcare infrastructure across Bengal. Around 100 NEET toppers were felicitated and presented with laptops, bouquets, and certificates.
The CM noted that improved healthcare infrastructure would naturally encourage future doctors to serve patients within the state. Expressing hope that they would choose to remain in Bengal, he urged them to serve the local population. He added that the state’s active participation in the Ayushman Bharat scheme would help deliver better healthcare services, thereby creating broader opportunities for medical professionals.
The CM further announced that the state plans to increase the number of beds at SSKM Hospital — particularly in the ICU — to ensure higher-quality care. He assured that all major hospitals will soon be equipped with diagnostic facilities such as MRI, CT scan, and USG machines, eliminating the need to refer patients to other centers.
Adhikari said the state would set up four new medical colleges in Alipurduar, Kalimpong, South Dinajpur and West Burdwan. He also announced that an AIIMS will soon be established in north Bengal, supplementing the existing facility in Kalyani.
He affirmed that the govt will enhance healthcare standards in both public and private sectors, ensuring that NEET qualifiers find ample career opportunities in the state. “The Adani Group has already signed a pact to set up a 2,000-bed hospital in New Town,” he said, adding that 1,000 of those beds would be dedicated to low-income patients.
He said health centres under the National Health Mission would be designated as Arogya Mandirs. He added that for individuals unable to access Ayushman Bharat, the Chief Minister’s Health Scheme has been launched to provide medical coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh.
Health minister Sharadwat Mukherjee urged the MBBS students to focus on sharpening their skills rather than prioritizing financial gain, assuring them that financial rewards naturally follow expertise. Higher education minister Jagannath Chatterjee encouraged them to serve underprivileged patients.