Three new facilities were introduced for patients at the district hospital in Alipurduar on Wednesday.

Suman Kanjilal, the local MLA who is also the chairperson of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti (patient welfare committee) of the hospital, was present when the facilities were launched at the state-run health establishment.

Prasenjit Kar, chairman of the local civic body, and Sumit Ganguly, the chief medical officer of health of the district, accompanied the MLA.

Among the new facilities include the e-prescription service, an oncology wing at the outpatient (OPD) department and an observation room next to the emergency ward.

Sources said that patients from across Alipurduar, certain areas of the neighbouring Cooch Behar district as well as parts of lower Assam visit this hospital for their treatment.

Hospital sources said that considering the vast patient demography, the introduction of e-prescription was an important facility for the Alipurduar district hospital.

“Once a patient reaches the hospital, a unique ID would be generated in his or her name, and all details, right from the doctor’s prescription to the medical test reports, would be uploaded against the ID. If the patient visits the hospital again, it is not necessary for him or her to carry the prescription and reports. The patient only needs to inform the ID that's already available in the system and the doctors concerned can access old medical details from the hospital records. It will be convenient for the doctors as well as patients,” said a source.

At the new oncology department, two specialists will be available twice a week, sources said.

“This is also a major development for the hospital because so far cancer patients of Alipurduar district had to visit hospitals in other districts for treatment. Now they can get treatment there,” the source added.

Also, in the emergency ward, so far there was no room to keep patients under observation. A three-bed room has been built where patients can be kept after primary treatment at the emergency ward.

“Soon, separate rooms would be built for male and female patients,” an official said.

MLA Kanjilal said that the new services would benefit the residents of the district.

“We could meet some longstanding demands (related to health services) of the people. In due course, more facilities will be introduced at the hospital,” he said.