In the 19th edition of Healthcare East, organized by CII West Bengal in Kolkata, Smt. Chandrima Bhattacharya, Minister of State, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal, emphasized the ideal cooperation between the public and private sectors while highlighting the state government’s objective of providing healthcare services to everyone. She emphasized the state’s notable increase in medical tourism, pointing out that it has been crucial in making West Bengal the second-most popular destination for international visitors among all Indian states.

Smt. Bhattacharya highlighted that West Bengal’s healthcare infrastructure has been essential in bolstering the sectoral backbone and guaranteeing accessible, high-quality healthcare for its citizens, citing the Swasthya Sathi plan, which covers 2.5 crore families throughout the state.

To maximize profits for all parties involved in the healthcare industry without sacrificing the standard of care, Shri NS Nigam, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal, argued for the best possible design of the healthcare market.

Speaking about the efficiency and expanding influence of telemedicine, the Principal Secretary stated that the state budget has set aside ₹23,000 crore for the healthcare industry. Additionally, he emphasized the government’s dedication to growing specialist healthcare facilities by highlighting the opening of five new cancer centers in Bengal.

The CEO of the Manipal Foundation, Mr. Harinarayan Sharma, underlined the importance of the state’s primary care delivery system. Mr. Sharma said that maintaining the general health of women is crucial for the expansion of the economy, pointing out that the Manipal Foundation just started a cancer screening program that targets women from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Managing Director of Peerless General Finance & Investment Company Limited, Mr. Jayanta Roy, discussed the company’s future investments in Kolkata and Barasat. He promoted a healthier society as a necessary condition for developing a more robust economy.

The Chairman of the Bandhan Group, Mr. C. S. Ghosh, emphasized the significance of programs designed to raise mothers’ health consciousness in rural villages, emphasizing that empowering grassroots communities is essential for comprehensive development.

Mr. Prashant Sharma, Managing Director of Charnock Hospital, emphasized the significant disparities in healthcare services across various regions of India, citing international evidence that in low-income countries, every job created in the health sector generates an estimated 3.4 additional jobs across related industries. His comments emphasized the necessity of balanced development to guarantee fair access to healthcare across the country.

Mr. Rupak Barua, Managing Director & CEO of Woodlands Hospital, addressed the topic of Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOP), citing the positive decline in recent years as evidence of better patient financial protection.

Mr. Debasish Dutta, Chairman of the CII West Bengal State Council and Director of BGS Group, suggested improving international aviation connections with Central Asia, the GCC, and African countries to maintain growth and diversify the state’s medical tourism industry.

In the meantime, to ensure significant and long-lasting sector growth, Dr. Ayanabh DebGupta, Regional COO (Eastern Region) of Manipal Hospital, emphasized the need for balanced cooperation among the government, business, and academia.

Priyanka Dutta