J.P. Nadda Reviews West Bengal Healthcare Programmes, Stresses Faster Rollout of Ayushman Bharat

The Union Health Minister emphasised the importance of timely utilisation of allocated funds and efficient programme monitoring to improve healthcare outcomes across the state.

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda on Saturday chaired a high-level review meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari to discuss the strengthening of healthcare services, effective implementation of major health schemes, and improvement of public health infrastructure across the state. The meeting focused on enhancing healthcare delivery systems, accelerating disease control programmes, and ensuring timely utilisation of funds under various central government health initiatives.

The review meeting covered implementation of flagship schemes including the National Health Mission (NHM), Prime Minister Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), and other critical public healthcare programmes aimed at improving accessibility, affordability, and quality of healthcare services in West Bengal.

Discussions during the meeting centred on achieving key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to healthcare by strengthening medical infrastructure, expanding immunisation coverage, improving maternal and child health indicators, intensifying tuberculosis and vector-borne disease elimination efforts, and ensuring early screening and diagnosis of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). The availability of affordable medicines, diagnostics, and treatment facilities at public healthcare centres was also reviewed extensively.

The Union Health Minister emphasised the importance of timely utilisation of allocated funds and efficient programme monitoring to improve healthcare outcomes across the state. Officials informed the meeting that under the National Health Mission, a total resource envelope of ₹3505.59 crore had been allocated to West Bengal for the financial year 2026-27, out of which the first instalment amounting to ₹527.58 crore was released to the state on the same day. The Centre also urged the state government to ensure early utilisation of available funds under PM-ABHIM and the 15th Finance Commission Health Grants.

The meeting also focused on improving healthcare governance through stronger regulatory oversight, enhanced diagnostics infrastructure, better medical supply-chain management, and greater adoption of technology-driven healthcare solutions. Particular emphasis was laid on accelerating the implementation of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan through intensified screening drives, improved treatment adherence, and district-level monitoring mechanisms. Shri Nadda also urged the state government to roll out the HPV vaccination programme at the earliest to strengthen preventive healthcare initiatives.

Addressing the officials, Shri J.P. Nadda highlighted the need for sustained efforts to improve major public health indicators such as Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR), and Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR), particularly in border regions where healthcare challenges and population mobility create additional public health sensitivities.

The Union Minister stressed the importance of strengthening surveillance systems, ensuring timely medical intervention, and improving coordination among healthcare agencies to maintain progress in maternal and child healthcare services. He also underlined the need to intensify the Measles-Rubella elimination campaign by increasing vaccination coverage and strengthening public awareness initiatives throughout the state.

Shri Nadda further emphasised the urgency of scaling up the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and suggested conducting sensitisation workshops for Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative Assembly to encourage greater public participation and awareness regarding tuberculosis elimination efforts.

Speaking about preventive healthcare, the Union Health Minister stressed that HPV vaccination is essential to protecting young girls from cervical cancer and related health risks. He stated that preventive healthcare and early disease detection remain central pillars of the Government of India's healthcare strategy.

The Union Minister also called for continuous vigilance against diseases such as Kala-azar and Lymphatic Filariasis, directing officials to strengthen surveillance, monitoring, and preventive measures to prevent outbreaks and contain cases effectively.

Shri Nadda further instructed officials to accelerate the implementation of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across West Bengal and significantly expand grassroots-level screening activities to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of diseases. He noted that preventive screening at the community level is essential for reducing long-term healthcare burdens and improving public health outcomes.

During the meeting, Shri Nadda stated that discussions regarding the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for implementation of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) in West Bengal should be completed at the earliest so that eligible beneficiaries can begin receiving healthcare benefits without delay. According to official estimates, nearly 1.45 crore families, including senior citizens, are expected to benefit from the expanded healthcare coverage under the scheme.

The Union Health Minister assured the West Bengal government that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is fully prepared to extend technical assistance, deploy expert teams, and provide in-house training and capacity-building support wherever required. He also advised the state government to submit detailed proposals regarding expansion of Jan Aushadhi Kendras and AMRIT Pharmacies to improve access to affordable medicines across districts.

Reiterating the Union Government's commitment toward strengthening healthcare infrastructure, Shri Nadda stated that financial resources would not become a constraint where effective implementation and timely fund utilisation are ensured. He reaffirmed the Centre's commitment to working closely with West Bengal to strengthen disease surveillance, improve healthcare accessibility, expand preventive healthcare, and ensure quality treatment services under the broader vision of "Swasth Bharat" and "Viksit Bharat 2047."

Speaking during the meeting, Shri Suvendu Adhikari expressed gratitude to the Union Government and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for extending continued support toward improving the healthcare ecosystem in West Bengal. He said the state government would continue working under the guidance of Union Health Minister Shri J.P. Nadda to ensure affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare for all sections of society.

Shri Adhikari sought support from the Union Ministry for effective implementation of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY in West Bengal so that vulnerable and underserved populations can benefit from affordable and comprehensive healthcare coverage. He also highlighted the need to strengthen healthcare administration and grassroots implementation systems to improve service delivery across the state.

The West Bengal Chief Minister informed the meeting that pending health-related data and documentation linked to the Union Health Ministry are being streamlined on priority to improve coordination, transparency, and effective implementation of healthcare programmes.

With the onset of the monsoon season approaching, Shri Adhikari also highlighted the need for enhanced preparedness against vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria. He stressed the importance of preventive measures, public awareness campaigns, training programmes, and timely administrative action to safeguard public health during the monsoon months.

The meeting additionally reviewed implementation of healthcare programmes under the National Health Mission and discussed expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana in West Bengal to improve access to affordable generic medicines for citizens.

Shri Adhikari also sought guidance from the Union Health Ministry on healthcare budgeting and financial planning, stating that strategic support would significantly strengthen the state's healthcare infrastructure and improve overall public health outcomes.

Highlighting gaps in medical education infrastructure, Shri Adhikari pointed out that three regions in West Bengal still do not have medical colleges. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of establishing a medical college in every district, he requested support from the Union Government for setting up additional medical colleges in underserved districts.

He further proposed the establishment of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in northern West Bengal, stating that it would significantly enhance tertiary healthcare services, advanced medical research, specialised treatment facilities, and medical education in the region.

Senior officials present during the meeting included Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, AS & MD NHM Smt. Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary Medical Education Smt. Vinod Kotwal, NHA CEO Shri Sunil Barnwal, and senior officers from various departments of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.