The state health department has enhanced infrastructure and introduced additional facilities at the North Bengal Medical College & Hospital to comfort patients who suffer with different terminal illness.

“Tests like interleukin-6, total iron-binding capacity and ferritin can be conducted at the biochemistry department now. So far, the facility was available only in a few private clinics or the patients had to visit Calcutta to get them done,” said a source in the NBMCH, the largest state-run referral hospital of north Bengal.

Sushanta Roy, the officer on special duty deputed in north Bengal for Covid-19, said the infrastructure in laboratories have also been extended at the biochemistry department. “We have plans to open a central research lab. At the blood transfusion centre, department of immune haematology and blood banking has been opened to help patients suffering from leukaemia and thalassemia. Also, blood transplant and blood cancer patients can be treated here,” he added.

The state has also provided a special vehicle at the NBMCH that can act as a mobile blood collection unit.

“Three people can donate blood at a time at the advanced mobile van. It also has facilities to preserve blood units,” said a source at the facility.