Mamata to send well wishes to people treated under 'Swasthya Sathi' scheme

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would be sending a letter of acknowledgement to all beneficiaries of a state-run health scheme, wishing them well, a top bureaucrat at the state secretariat said Sunday. The chief minister's office has sought the database of 'Swasthya Sathi' scheme from all government hospitals, as part of the public outreach programme, he said.

"The families of the beneficiaries would be getting a letter signed by the chief minister as an acknowledgement for taking free treatment under the scheme," the official said. According to the bureaucrat, the director of health services would be sending Banerjee's letter to all government hospital superintendents, chief medical officers, sub-division and block-level health centres for its distribution among patients, who received free treatment between March 1, 2018 and February 28, 2019.

The draft letter written by the CM said, "The state government was happy to include the beneficiary in the 'Free of Cost Medicine' and 'Free of Cost Treatment' scheme undertaken by the state health and family welfare department." It also stated that "the chief minister hopes to help every individual in his/her daily life so that they can contribute more to the development of the state". "The letters will have the names of beneficiaries and will be delivered by post," the official told PTI.

The CM also has plans to write to the beneficiaries of other state-run schemes, such as Kanyashree, Yuvasree and Rupashree Prakalpa, he said. Earlier, too, the CM has sent personalised congratulatory messages, New Year's greetings to state government employees.

She also writes to the parents and students of primary and higher secondary schools during the exam, wishing them luck. "This is her (Banerjee's) unique way to establish a personal relationship with the people of the state. It shows that she cares for each and everyone in our state. We have so much to learn from her," state Urban Development Minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim said.

(With inputs from agencies.)