West Bengal government to spend Rs. 2,600 crore to add 17,000 beds in state hospitals by 2015-16.

In a major boost to the state's health care delivery system, West Bengal government has decided to infuse Rs. 2,600 crore to add 17,000 more hospital beds in 2015-16.

'This year we will be adding another 17,000 beds which will cost Rs. 2,600 crore,' Health Secretary Malay De told media persons here on the sidelines of a health care event organised by CII.

In the government sector, the total number of hospital beds in the state currently is 63,000 and it would become 80,000 after addition of the proposed 17,000 beds.

Taking into account the private sector, total beds in the state is set to cross 1,20,000 by this year, De said.

Apollo Hospitals CEO Rupali Basu said currently total private sector capacity will be about 30,000 beds.

The state is also in process of investing Rs. 250 crore in procuring radio therapy equipment, offering low cost cancer care facility to the people of the state, De said.


ET