Bengal CM defends decision to shift stampede injured to private hospital, cites better care

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday (October 20, 2026) defended the government's decision to shift those injured in the Kolkata stampede from a State-run hospital to a private one, saying it was to ensure the best possible treatment and prevent further loss of life.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the health department's control room at Swasthya Bhavan on Tuesday (October 20, 2026) evening, he said the decision was taken on the spot after authorities assessed the treatment facilities available at State-run hospitals.

"We moved those injured to private hospitals because we realised that the best treatment could be provided there so that there is no more loss of life. I am happy to announce that there was no death among the 25 injured in the stampede. We decided on the spot. There is nothing controversial behind this," he said.

Responding to criticism over the shift, Mr. Adhikari said the decision should not be construed as a failure of the State health department.

"People are critical of the Health Minister and health secretary because of the shifting. But I would say there is nothing to say that the State's health infrastructure has failed."

Acknowledging shortfalls in infrastructure at State-run hospitals, he said improving the public healthcare system to match private sector facilities would take time.

"It would take at least two years for us to elevate the health system in West Bengal and bring it on par with that of the private sector. We have been in power for six months now. We need one and a half years more to do that," he said.

The Chief Minister also said the private hospital had not demanded payment for treating the injured, but the State government had asked it to submit bills according to Ayushman Bharat rates.

"I will not do marketing for the private hospital by taking its name. The private hospital did not demand its cost, but we asked them to send us bills as per Ayushman Bharat rates," he said.

Mr. Adhikari said he had asked the Health Minister to submit a report on the conduct of some doctors at a medical college who had spoken to the media following the incident.

He said the Minister had been asked to verify whether the doctors were on duty at the hospital that day. "If they had come out leaving their duty to speak to the media, then it is against service rules," he said.

The Chief Minister said senior doctors, healthcare workers and the medical superintendent-cum-vice-principal (MSVP) had reached the hospital within an hour of the incident. He also praised medical personnel who had worked through the Durga Puja festivities, saying several doctors and health workers had cancelled their holidays to remain on duty.

"For the last three days, we have arranged this control room and linked it to the fire brigade and Kolkata Police. Several doctors and health workers have cancelled their holidays and come forward to work during this Durga Puja. I would like to thank the doctors' fraternity; they also have families, and they are active everywhere. There is pressure at SSKM Trauma Care," he said.

On plans to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in the State, Mr. Adhikari said the National Health Mission (NHM) had been initiated in West Bengal only a few months ago.

He also referred to commitments by industrial groups to invest in healthcare facilities. According to the Chief Minister, industrialist Gautam Adani and his son had committed to inaugurating a hospital at Arogya Mandir within 18 months.

"Reliance authorities have also approached us requesting to provide them with the buildings which are vacant now, so that they can open pathological centres there," he said.

Mr. Adhikari said he had asked the Reliance authorities what facilities they would offer to economically weaker sections of society. "I have asked them what they would offer for the poor people in West Bengal because we have 50% of people in Bengal who earn ₹15,000 a month," he said.

Highlighting gaps in diagnostic healthcare services, the Chief Minister claimed that West Bengal still lacked facilities for allergy testing, even eight decades after Independence.