All patients will be entitled to receive free treatment, free diagnostics and free surgery in government hospitals in West Bengal.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that all patients will be entitled to receive free treatment, free diagnostics and free surgery in all government hospitals and health centres across the state."Henceforth, all patients will receive free treatment, free diagnostics and free surgery in all government hospitals and health centres from village to district level," said Ms Banerjee, who also holds the health portfolio."All paying beds are now being converted as free beds," she said.Aimed at making medical facilities affordable for the rural and economically backward classes, she said patients will be able to avail free beds even in critical care units.

"This decision will give a significant relief to nearly 76 per cent of the people in Bengal, who avail treatment in government hospitals," she said.Besides adding 12,000 beds in government hospitals, Ms Banerjee said 10,000 doctors and nurses would be appointed in the near future. She also said more fair-priced diagnostic centres and medical shops will be set up.