Kolkata

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday criticised previous state governments for what he described as years of neglect that left the public healthcare system in poor condition, saying his administration is now working to overcome the consequences.

Adhikari made the remarks while addressing a Doctors' Day programme held to commemorate the birth and death anniversary of renowned physician and former West Bengal Chief Minister Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, both of which fall on July 1.

Speaking at the event, the chief minister expressed concern over the condition of government hospitals across the state and questioned whether the existing healthcare infrastructure was acceptable.

"West Bengal has immense talent and the capability to compete with the best in the world. But we must ask ourselves what happened to our healthcare system during the tenure of previous governments," Adhikari said.

Calling for collective efforts to improve the state's medical infrastructure, he appealed to healthcare professionals, officials and citizens to work together in rebuilding the public health system.

"We must restore the healthcare infrastructure of West Bengal. I urge everyone to join hands in this effort," he said.

Adhikari said his government was trying to introduce reforms but was repeatedly confronted with the impact of years of administrative neglect.

Recalling a statement by former chief minister Jyoti Basu, Adhikari drew a contrast between the past and the present.

"Jyoti Basu had once remarked that wherever he wanted to start work, he found that Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy had already laid the foundation. My experience is just the opposite. Wherever I go to begin work, I find destruction," he said.

During the function at Mayukh Bhavan in Salt Lake, the chief minister also announced that the Bidhannagar Sub-Divisional Hospital would be renamed Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy Multispeciality Hospital in honour of the legendary physician and statesman.

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The event was attended by State Health Minister Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay, Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Pal and several senior officials and dignitaries.