KOLKATA: In a major crackdown on systemic corruption and negligence within West Bengal's state-run healthcare infrastructure, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Saturday the launch of a 24-hour centralized control room at Swasthya Bhawan (the state health headquarters). This unit will conduct continuous, round-the-clock "live monitoring" across government hospitals to dismantle deep-rooted illicit rackets, put an end to unnecessary patient referrals, and ensure administrative accountability.
Zero Tolerance Policy and High-Profile Action
The Chief Minister made this crucial announcement while inaugurating a cervical cancer vaccination drive at the Bidhannagar Sub-divisional Hospital. Addressing the persistent public grievances surrounding state-run healthcare facilities, Adhikari emphasized that the new regime will enforce a zero-tolerance policy against exploitation and administrative apathy. Highlighting the government's strict stance, he revealed that the Medical Superintendent and Vice Principal (MSVP) of Kolkata Medical College and Hospital has already been suspended. This swift action followed the unwarranted referral of a patient who was in a critical condition. "We are appointing professional personnel whose sole task will be to ensure that no middlemen operate on hospital grounds and no patient is arbitrarily referred elsewhere," the Chief Minister asserted.
Scope of the 24/7 Monitoring Unit
The initial rollout will cover all primary district hospitals and major government medical colleges across the state. The specialized control room at Swasthya Bhawan will track a wide grid of day-to-day operations through digital surveillance and direct inspection reports. The centralized oversight mechanism will monitor: Doctor Attendance: Ensuring that scheduled physicians and medical staff are present at their duty stations. Patient Management: Verifying that admitted patients receive timely treatment in their assigned wards without harassment. Elimination of "Broker" Rackets: Employing specialized personnel to identify and neutralize illegal brokers (dalals) who extort patients for beds or medicine. Referral Control: Tracking every patient referral to stop the long-standing practice of hospitals deflecting critical cases to avoid responsibility. Cleanliness and Sanitation: Ensuring zero tolerance for accumulated medical waste and unhygienic conditions on hospital premises. Reforming Recruitment and Public Grievances. Acknowledging that middlemen and arbitrary referrals have plagued the public healthcare system for years—stretching back into previous administrations—the Chief Minister highlighted that structural changes are underway. To improve core services, future recruitments of doctors and nursing staff will be conducted with complete transparency. A dedicated helpline linked directly to the Swasthya Bhawan control room is being activated, allowing citizens and families of patients to report real-time harassment, medical negligence, or administrative corruption directly to authorities.
