The patient welfare committee of the state-run North Bengal Medical College & Hospital (NBMCH) in Siliguri has decided to install more CCTV cameras on its 104-hectare campus.
The decision was made at a recent meeting of the patient welfare committee headed by former minister Gautam Deb.

“There are allegations that some touts are active in the NBMCH area and they misguide and fleece patients and their family members. We will prevent such practices... To keep a steady surveillance, it has been decided to install more CCTV cameras so that the entire campus can be covered,” said Deb.

NBMCH sources said that as of now, the hospital campus has 40-odd CCTV cameras but some don’t work.
Deb also stated that a meeting will be held with the Siliguri Metropolitan Police soon over proper police arrangements on hospital campus.

Deb, while talking to newspersons, said they are approaching the state government to categorise the super-specialty hospital that is coming up at NBMCH as a level-III hospital.

At the new hospital, there will be eight medical officers. Also, a chartered accountant firm will be engaged to conduct an internal audit. Sources said as of now, around Rs 5.32 crore is available with the patient welfare committee.

“It has been decided that the CT scan machine will be made functional round the clock to ensure better patient services. The committee will also repair a portion of the corridors damaged in tremors earlier. It will also work for development of a cancer care facility at the radiotherapy department and will expand facilities at the outpatient departments of medicine and surgery. An elevator for 20 persons will also be set up in the Covid block,” said a source.