State govt plans to revamp health services in Jangalmahal

Keeping in view the sagging health services in the region, the state government is planning to overhaul health care facilities in the Maoist affected area of Jangalmahal, particularly Jhargram.

Many of the villagers, who are mostly under-privileged tribals, hardly get any treatment because of the poor communication system and the "pathetic infrastructure" at Block Primary Health Centres (BPHC) and Primary Health Centres (PHC), official sources said.

There is a shortage of beds as well as doctors and paramedics at the centres, they said.

Besides upgrading some hospitals and PHCs, the health department has planned to recruit more doctors, nurses and paramedical staff to ensure easy access to basic medical facilities, they said.

Following West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's line, who had advocated the participation of locals in strengthening the health system, the health department has also thought of building a nursing training school that will allow the contribution of local residents in health care. The Jhargram sub-divisional hospital is planned to be upgraded to a super specialty hospital as well, they said.

"Everything is in planning stage now. We have discussed it in details and submitted a detailed project plan report to the Director of Health Services, Subhamay Dutta Choudhury," Sabitendra Patra, Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) in West Midnapore, told Patra has held meetings with the Jhargram CMOH and all Block Medical Officers of health and other officials on Monday, sources said.

Apart from upgrading Jhargram sub-divisional hospital, the department could also upgrade some BPHCs and PHCs in Jhargram sub-division, health department sources said.

"We have plans to upgrade Belpahari BPHC, Nayagramand Gopiballavpur BPHC under Lalgarh Police station area," they said.