GoWB Calls for Stronger Public-Private Collaboration to Improve Healthcare Services for Everyone

News Desk, News Nation 360 : Highlighting the state government's commitment to providing healthcare services to everybody, Chandrima Bhattacharya, Minister of State, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal, emphasised the importance of optimal collaboration between the public and private sectors during the 19th edition of Healthcare East, which was organised by CII West Bengal in Kolkata. She emphasised the state's huge increase in medical tourism, stating that it has played a critical part in West Bengal's ranking as the second most popular destination for international visitors in India. Referring to the Swasthya Sathi plan, which benefits 2.5 crore families in the state, Chandrima Bhattacharya emphasised the importance of West Bengal's solid healthcare infrastructure in strengthening the sectoral backbone and guaranteeing accessible, high-quality healthcare for its people Debasish Dutta, Chairman of the CII West Bengal State Council and Director of the BGS Group, proposed increasing international aviation connections with Central Asia, the GCC countries, and African nations to continue growth and diversify the state's medical tourism sector. Meanwhile, Dr Ayanabh DebGupta, Regional COO (Eastern Region) of Manipal Hospital, emphasised the importance of balanced engagement among the government, industry, and academia to enable meaningful and long-term sector growth. NS Nigam, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal, argued for the optimal design of the healthcare market so that the profits of all stakeholders in the sector are maximised without compromising the quality of healthcare services. The Principal Secretary highlighted the expanding influence of telemedicine, stating that ₹23,000 crore has been given to the healthcare sector in the state budget. He also highlighted the development of five new cancer centres in West Bengal, demonstrating the government's ongoing commitment to increasing specialised healthcare services.

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