New Delhi, June 2: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the West Bengal Government are likely to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 8 to facilitate the implementation of all centrally sponsored health schemes in the state, sources said on Tuesday.
According to sources, the proposed agreement is expected to pave the way for the rollout of several flagship healthcare initiatives of the Central Government, including the Ayushman Bharat scheme, aimed at expanding access to affordable healthcare services across West Bengal.
The development comes amid ongoing discussions between the Centre and the state government to strengthen healthcare delivery systems and enhance the reach of public health programmes. As part of these efforts, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare is also expected to visit West Bengal on June 6 to hold consultations regarding the implementation of key health schemes.
If finalised, the MoU would mark a significant step towards integrating West Bengal with major national healthcare programmes, enabling eligible beneficiaries in the state to access a wider range of Central health benefits.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday virtually inaugurated a new 100-bed ward at the state-run SSKM Hospital and announced a series of healthcare initiatives aimed at strengthening the state’s medical infrastructure.
Addressing the event, Adhikari said the state government would implement the National Health Mission and extend Ayushman Bharat coverage to more than 1.36 crore families across the state. He also announced plans to recruit additional doctors, nurses, and technical and non-technical staff to improve healthcare services.
Highlighting infrastructure development, he said the newly inaugurated ward at SSKM Hospital would help ease patient congestion and address referral-related challenges in the healthcare system. He further informed that a dedicated team has been constituted to tackle referral issues in government hospitals.
The Chief Minister also revealed that the government is in the process of identifying suitable land for establishing an AIIMS-like institution in North Bengal, a move aimed at strengthening tertiary healthcare facilities in the region.