Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Siliguri District Hospital Plans Expansion, Paperless Services Amid Surge
Siliguri District Hospital was built for about 500 patients a day.
It now treats nearly 2,000 people daily, so the state government wants to expand it.
The Public Works Department will prepare a master plan.
The plan may include more parking, a mother-and-child hub, and a smart outpatient department.
Staff quarters may move so the hospital can use that land for healthcare facilities.
The hospital also plans to replace paper processes with e-prescriptions, e-reports, and e-billing.
Dialysis beds are expected to increase from five to 10.
Officials want to lower referrals to North Bengal Medical College & Hospital from about 8 percent to 5 percent.
A separate 30-bed community health centre is planned in Dabgram.
Siliguri District Hospital, designed for about 500 patients daily, now handles nearly 2,000.
The state Public Works Department will prepare a master plan for infrastructure expansion.
Proposed changes include more parking, a mother-and-child hub, a smart OPD, and relocated staff quarters.
The hospital plans phased digital services including e-prescriptions, e-reports, and e-billing.
Dialysis beds are expected to double from five to 10, while officials aim to reduce referrals from 8% to 5%.
- Who
- The state government, the state Public Works Department, and Siliguri District Hospital officials are involved; Shankar Ghosh is overseeing the hospital committee.
- What
- A hospital expansion, infrastructure master plan, phased paperless system, and expanded specialised services are planned.
- When
- The proposals were discussed at a recent meeting of the hospital’s patients’ welfare committee; implementation is planned in phases.
- Where
- Siliguri District Hospital; a separate 30-bed community health centre is planned in Dabgram.
- Why
- The hospital is handling nearly four times its designed patient load, and officials want to improve capacity, efficiency, and access to treatment.
- Designed daily capacity
- About 500 patients
- Current daily patient load
- Nearly 2,000 patients
- Planned digital services
- E-prescriptions, e-reports, and e-billing
- Dialysis beds
- Increase from five to 10
- Current referral rate
- Around 8% to North Bengal Medical College & Hospital
- Target referral rate
- 5%
- Planned Dabgram facility
- A 30-bed community health centre