Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Bengal Health Minister Proposes 72-Hour Private Surgery Restriction in Bardhaman
The health minister wants to stop people from misusing free hospital services.
Some patients are reportedly admitted to government hospitals and receive free tests.
They then leave quickly and go to private hospitals for surgery using government insurance.
The proposed rule would stop government doctors from operating on those patients privately for 72 hours.
It would apply to several government health insurance schemes.
People paying cash for private surgery would not be affected.
The minister also wants fewer visitors in hospital wards to help prevent infections.
One family member may still stay with certain patients who need extra help.
Health Minister Shardwat Mukherjee proposed a 72-hour restriction on private surgeries under government insurance schemes.
The proposal targets patients who obtain free tests at government hospitals before leaving and undergoing private treatment.
The restriction would apply to Ayushman Bharat, Swasthya Sathi and Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana claims.
Cash-paid private surgeries would not be covered by the proposed restriction.
Burdwan Medical College Hospital will limit attendants to reduce infection risks, with exceptions for certain patients.
- Who
- Bengal Health Minister Shardwat Mukherjee and government and private healthcare providers.
- What
- A proposed 72-hour restriction on private surgeries under government insurance schemes, along with tighter hospital-attendant rules.
- When
- The proposal was announced on Sunday; Mukherjee had been in Burdwan for four consecutive days.
- Where
- Bardhaman, including Burdwan Medical College Hospital.
- Why
- To curb alleged misuse of free government investigations and insurance-funded private surgeries, and to reduce hospital infections.
- Proposed restriction
- Patients admitted to a government hospital could not undergo private surgery under specified government insurance schemes for 72 hours.
- Schemes named
- Ayushman Bharat, Swasthya Sathi and Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana.
- Cash treatment
- Cash-based private surgeries would not be restricted under the proposal.
- Alleged practice
- Patients reportedly obtain free tests such as CT scans and blood tests before leaving government hospitals and seeking private care.
- Hospital attendants
- One family member may be allowed for post-operative, cesarean and catheterized patients.
- Staffing
- Additional locally recruited Group-D staff will assist patients.