West Bengal to Roll Out Smart OPDs in Government Hospitals

Kolkata: The West Bengal Health Department has announced plans to roll out Smart OPDs (Outpatient Departments) in government hospitals across the state. The initiative is aimed at reducing patient inconvenience and streamlining healthcare services by integrating multiple facilities under one roof.

According to the news reports, in the initial phase, the government aims to transform the outpatient departments (OPDs) of all secondary-level hospitals into smart OPDs. This upgrade will cover 14 district hospitals, 34 sub-divisional hospitals, and 27 state general hospitals.

Currently, the state has around 14,000 government-run hospitals, medical colleges, and health centres with operational OPDs. However, logistical hurdles — such as separate buildings for doctors, diagnostic labs, and pharmacies — have long caused inconvenience for patients.

These smart OPDs will soon provide doctor consultations, diagnostic tests, and pharmacy services in a single building, eliminating the need for patients to move between separate departments for different services.

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According to APAC News, smart OPDs are already being built in the Bhatpara State General Hospital and the Naihati State General Hospital. An amount of Rs 2 crore for each has been sanctioned from the MPLAD fund of Barrackpur MP Partha Bhaumik. The remaining amount will come from the state health department.

These two Smart OPDs are expected to become operational by the end of 2025. Additionally, the School of Tropical Medicine in Kolkata is setting up a Smart Clinic, modelled on the Smart OPD concept.

The malaria clinic is being upgraded into a Smart Clinic, where patients can have their blood collected, tested, and, if diagnosed with malaria, receive medication — all on the same day and under one roof.

The introduction of Smart OPDs marks a significant shift toward patient-centric healthcare delivery in West Bengal.

Also Read: West Bengal to Set Up Critical Care Blocks at 9 Govt Medical College Hospitals

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that in a move to boost the state’s healthcare infrastructure, nine state-run medical colleges and hospitals across West Bengal will soon be equipped with dedicated, state-of-the-art Critical Care Blocks (CCBs), aimed at improving treatment for patients with severe and life-threatening conditions.