Kolkata, Oct. 15 -- The Bengal Health department has sanctioned approval of Rs 92 crore to repair and renovate staff quarters at primary-tier healthcare facilities across the state, with the project scheduled to be completed within six months. For the staff quarters, over Rs 75 crore had been allocated, and another additional tranche of Rs 17 crore was granted mainly for the BMOH and doctors' quarters.

This move is being welcomed by doctors and health staff as in many areas the quarters are in a dilapidated state. Earlier, on March 28, a four-month baby girl, Priyadarshini Besra, died after a large chunk of concrete collapsed from the ceiling on her inside the staff quarters at Ketugram BPHC in East Burdwan. The infant was sleeping when a major chunk of the dilapidated ceiling fell directly on her, and she died instantly. Both her parents are Health department staff and the incident had created a furore among the staff.

Doctors also pointed out that poor maintenance had led to several accidents at medical college hospitals. Last week, a portion of the ceiling collapsed in the dermatology department of NRS Medical College and Hospital, they said. Earlier in April, a chunk of concrete fell from the ceiling at the CCU of NRS Medical College and Hospital, thus exposing the unsafe condition.

An order issued by the National Health Mission (NHM) under the Health department on October 13 said that the proposed works will cover quarters at primary health centres (PHCs), block primary health centres (BPHCs) and rural hospitals (RHs).

The initiative covers 14 districts - Alipurduar, Bankura, Birbhum, Howrah, Jhargram, Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, North 24-Parganas, Paschim Medinipur, Purba Bardhaman, Purulia and Uttar Dinajpur, along with the Basirhat and Diamond Harbour health districts.

The PWD will execute the project as per the order, an official said. The department stipulated that the works must be completed within six months. It also ruled out any cost escalation beyond the approved administrative outlay and prohibited implementation of works outside the sanctioned scheme. Funds will be released after the implementing agency submits a requisition along with a statement of the cost of works awarded.

The renovation drive is aimed at improving staff accommodation at health facilities. However, the order does not specify the number of quarters to be renovated in the districts.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.