The West Bengal government will establish Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) in 16 government medical colleges and hospitals under the public-private partnership (PPP) model to provide quality medicines to patients at affordable prices.

Sources in the state's Health and Family Welfare Department said the decision to adopt the PPP model was aimed at making medicines available at lower prices while ensuring the smooth operation and proper maintenance of the centres.

An official of the Health and Family Welfare Department said, “Apart from establishing and operating these PMBJKs, proper maintenance of the centres is another important aspect. This is also one of the reasons behind the decision to adopt the PPP model.”

Tender Process Begins for Private Partners

The official said the tender process had already begun to select private organisations for establishing and operating the centres.

Instructions have been issued to complete the tender process quickly and select organisations that meet the prescribed criteria so that the centres can become operational as soon as possible, the official added.

11 Centres to Be Set Up in Kolkata

In the first phase, 16 PMBJKs will be established in medical colleges and hospitals across the state, including 11 in Kolkata.

According to the department, the remaining five centres will be set up at one medical college and hospital each in Nadia, Murshidabad, North 24 Parganas, West Midnapore and Howrah districts.

State Government Expands Participation in Central Welfare Initiatives

Sources said several other state governments had already adopted the PMBJK model, while the previous Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal had not taken any initiative to introduce the scheme in government medical colleges and hospitals.

Sources at the state secretariat, Nabanna, said the process of the state government's participation in various welfare initiatives of the Central government had gained momentum after the new government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, assumed office.

The decision to establish Jan Aushadhi Kendras in state-run medical colleges and hospitals is part of this broader initiative, the sources added.