Inside BJP government’s big reset for Bengal’s public healthcare system powered by Ayushman Bharat

The BJP government in West Bengal has unveiled an aggressive healthcare expansion strategy centred around the full-scale rollout of Ayushman Bharat, large-scale recruitment in public hospitals and a broader restructuring of the state’s health infrastructure. Announcing a series of major initiatives, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the government is preparing to bring more than 1.36 crore families under the Ayushman Bharat umbrella while simultaneously strengthening hospitals, vaccination networks and healthcare access for economically weaker sections.

The announcements signal a major reset of Bengal’s public healthcare system, with the BJP leadership pushing for tighter coordination with centrally sponsored health schemes and expansion of medical infrastructure across districts.

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• Ayushman Bharat rollout for 1.36 crore families: 

  The biggest announcement from the state government was the decision to extend Ayushman Bharat coverage to over 1 crore 36 lakh families across West Bengal. Suvendu Adhikari said the BJP government is moving towards full implementation of the central health insurance scheme in the state as part of its larger healthcare roadmap. The move is expected to significantly widen access to cashless treatment for lakhs of beneficiaries across urban and rural regions.

• National Health Mission to be implemented: 

  The Chief Minister also announced that the state government will implement the National Health Mission as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery systems. The decision marks a major policy shift aimed at increasing coordination with national healthcare programmes while improving medical services at the grassroots level. Officials believe the move could help accelerate funding support and infrastructure expansion in state-run facilities.

• New 100-bed ward opened at SSKM Hospital: 

  The Chief Minister virtually inaugurated a newly constructed 100-bed ward at the state-run SSKM Hospital as part of the infrastructure push. According to the government, the additional ward capacity is aimed at reducing patient burden and addressing referral-related problems in major hospitals. Suvendu Adhikari said a dedicated team has also been formed to tackle referral management issues within the healthcare network.

• Statewide vaccination drive completed: 

  The BJP government also highlighted its recent vaccination campaign carried out across the state’s healthcare network. Suvendu Adhikari said the drive was conducted across 235 hospitals, health centres, block hospitals and rural medical facilities after the Union Health Ministry supplied over 7.72 lakh vaccine doses. According to the Chief Minister, the vaccination programme was completed within three weeks.

• Reservation of beds for poor patients: 

  The government has also announced new directives aimed at improving access to private healthcare for economically weaker sections. Suvendu Adhikari said private hospitals that received government land at concessional rates would now be required to reserve 15 per cent of their beds for poor patients. The move is being projected as an effort to ensure affordable treatment access for low-income families despite rising healthcare costs in private institutions.

• AIIMS-like institution planned for North Bengal: 

  The BJP government has also begun work towards establishing a major tertiary healthcare institution in North Bengal. Suvendu Adhikari said land identification efforts are currently underway for an AIIMS-like medical institution in the region. The proposed project is expected to strengthen advanced healthcare access in North Bengal and reduce dependency on Kolkata-based hospitals for specialised treatment.

• ‘Ayushman Mandir’ branding for hospitals: 

  In a symbolic rebranding exercise, the state government has decided to introduce a new identity for healthcare facilities. “Our hospital name will be Ayushman Mandir,” Suvendu Adhikari said while outlining the government’s vision for public healthcare institutions under the new system. The proposed branding is being seen as part of the BJP government’s attempt to connect state healthcare infrastructure directly with the Ayushman Bharat expansion programme.

• Massive recruitment drive planned: 

  As part of the healthcare expansion plan, the BJP government has announced fresh recruitment across the medical sector. Suvendu Adhikari said the state will recruit more doctors, nurses, technical staff and non-technical employees to address manpower shortages in hospitals and healthcare centres. The recruitment exercise is expected to focus heavily on improving staffing in government facilities facing pressure from rising patient loads.