Archive · 20 Aug 2025
Bengal Healthcare Expenses Among Highest, Highlights Access Issues
In Bengal, people have to pay a lot of money for their healthcare.
This is because it's not always easy to get help from the government hospitals.
One boy who got bitten by a snake had to go to several hospitals before he could get the right care.
He ended up in a private hospital that cost a lot of money.
Even though the government spends a lot on healthcare, it's still hard for people to get the help they need quickly, especially during emergencies that aren't widespread events like a pandemic.
Bengal has one of the highest per capita out-of-pocket healthcare expenses in India.
A nine-year-old snakebite victim in Nadia faced delays and lack of resources in government hospitals.
The boy was transferred between hospitals due to the unavailability of a ventilator, eventually reaching a private facility in Calcutta.
The state health department attributes high expenses to limited access to government healthcare, especially in personal health emergencies.
Public health experts cite poor implementation of referral systems as another factor contributing to high out-of-pocket expenses.
- Who
- The report concerns Bengal residents, health officials, and a nine-year-old snakebite victim.
- What
- High out-of-pocket healthcare expenses in Bengal are linked to limited access to government healthcare facilities.
- When
- The high out-of-pocket expenses were reported based on 2021-22 data, and highlighted again after an incident in August.
- Where
- Bengal, India.
- Why
- High expenses result from limited government healthcare access, poor referral systems, and reliance on private hospitals.
Government Response
Public Health Experts
Healthcare Resources vs. Access
Government Response
The government has procured many ventilators and increased the number of doctors, and is spending significantly on infrastructure.
Public Health Experts
Despite increased spending, access to healthcare, especially during personal health emergencies, remains poor.
- Per Capita Healthcare Expenditure (Bengal)
- ₹4,010
- Location of Snakebite
- Nadia
- Hospital in Calcutta (for Snakebite Victim)
- Peerless Hospital
- Number of Ventilators in State-run healthcare facilities (post-pandemic)
- Over 2,500
- State Healthcare Budget (2011 to current)
- ₹4,000 crore to ₹21,500 crore
- Number of doctors in state government hospitals (2011 to current)
- 4,000 to 17,000
