ALIPURDUAR: In a significant development aimed at alleviating the acute doctor shortage in Alipurduar district, the West Bengal Health Department has approved the appointment of 26 additional doctors across three key government hospitals. The move follows persistent appeals made by Suman Kanjilal, Chairman of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti and Alipurduar MLA, to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the state health secretary.
Doctor Distribution Across Hospitals
The newly approved doctors will be strategically deployed as follows:
- 17 doctors at Alipurduar District Hospital
- 7 doctors at Falakata Super-Speciality Hospital
- 2 doctors at Birpara State General Hospital
This redistribution is designed to reduce the burden on the currently overworked medical staff and enhance the availability of specialist care.
Current Status and Shortages
- Alipurduar District Hospital is operating with only 64 doctors against a sanctioned strength of 82. The addition of 17 doctors will bring the facility closer to full capacity.
- Birpara State General Hospital currently has 28 doctors for 42 posts. The addition of two new doctors will slightly ease the load.
- Falakata Super-Speciality Hospital, a key regional facility, will see an important boost with the addition of 7 specialists.
Specialists Included
The 26 new appointments include dermatologists, orthopaedic surgeons, ophthalmologists, anaesthetists, and gynaecologists, all of whom will help fill critical care gaps in their respective hospitals.
Medical Infrastructure Enhancements
In addition to manpower, a new CT scan and digital X-ray machine will be installed at Alipurduar District Hospital, improving diagnostic capabilities. This aligns with the state’s broader healthcare strategy to modernize and equip hospitals with cutting-edge medical technology.
Part of a Broader Healthcare Strengthening Plan
This deployment is part of a statewide initiative to fortify public healthcare. As previously announced, nine state-run medical colleges and hospitals in West Bengal—including Alipurduar District Hospital—will be equipped with dedicated Critical Care Blocks (CCBs) to better manage life-threatening and severe health conditions.
🩺 Public Reaction: The decision has been welcomed by residents and health workers alike, many of whom had been grappling with long waiting hours and limited specialist access.
📈 Impact Outlook: With both human and diagnostic resources on the rise, the move is expected to significantly improve healthcare outcomes in Alipurduar and reduce referral cases to Kolkata or Siliguri.
🗣️ MLA Suman Kanjilal noted:
“This is a crucial step forward for our district. We are thankful to the Chief Minister for recognising our needs and acting swiftly.”
