TMC MP flags healthcare crisis in Bengal, says "Big hospitals but no doctors in districts"

Trinamool Congress MP Rachana Banerjee has voiced concerns about the healthcare system in West Bengal, citing an acute shortage of doctors in district hospitals despite significant infrastructure investments. During her visit to Hooghly on Monday for a public event, Banerjee stated that while large hospitals have been constructed in rural areas, they lack adequate medical personnel to provide necessary services.

Banerjee remarked, “We’ve prepared large hospitals, but there are no doctors.” She pointed out that most doctors prefer working in urban centers, leaving district hospitals underserved. Her statements called attention to the imbalance in healthcare resources and the pressing need for equitable distribution of medical professionals across the state.

She also highlighted the challenges faced by patients in accessing timely healthcare services. Banerjee said, “People are still being forced to rush to Kolkata, and many are dying on the way.” This reflects the difficulties faced by rural residents, who often have to travel long distances for treatment due to resource gaps in local hospitals.

Her comments have brought attention to the broader issue of healthcare management in West Bengal. Doctors’ associations have previously raised similar concerns about rural healthcare. Dr. Utpal Banerjee, a senior association member, emphasized the need for better planning, stating, “Rural hospitals require more focused attention to bridge the gap in resources and personnel.”