Kolkata to regain its Medical Capital image

Kolkata, May 25 (UNI) To make the city the Health Hub and regain its 'Medical Capital' image, West Bengal Health and Family Welfare Minister Surjya Kanta Mishra today emphasised on Public-Private-Partnership in healthcare.

Addressing a seminar and exhibition 'Health and Medicare-2007', organised by Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Mishra lamented that about 60,000 patients from the state were forced to go to other states for better medicare facilities.

Stressing on PPPs, he said the system would not only check the exodus of patients, but also help bring more of them to the state adding that this would also help tourism and hospitality sector to grow indirectly.

'' A few decades ago we were the major players in the pharmaceutical sector, but now we produce less than 10 per cent of the country's total product,'' the health minister stated.

He also asserted that the Centre should take steps in spending more in health sector saying that less than one per cent of the GDP was spent. But in developed countries like the US more than six per cent was spent.

Mr Mishra said the government has decided to take a national health mission, where a health unit would be set up in all the districts for the treatment of poor. The units would have free health checkups, free tasting of foods, including sugar-free meals.

Advocating the need to strenghten the rural healthcare infrastructure, Mr Mishra said young and competent doctors should move to rural areas.

UNI