States » EastPosted at: Sep 20 2026 7:38PM


Bengal Nursing homes under scanner: basements used for patients, registration details missing

Siliguri, Sep 20 (UNI) Patient safety, better treatment facilities and improved healthcare services have emerged as the primary focus of a surprise inspection of private nursing homes in Siliguri, with the Commission on Institutional Corruption in West Bengal identifying several shortcomings in infrastructure and patient amenities during visits since Saturday.
Former Calcutta High Court Justice Biswajit Basu, Chairman of the Commission on Institutional Corruption in West Bengal, along with members of a special team, has been visiting several private nursing homes and major healthcare establishments in Siliguri since Saturday. The inspections continued on Sunday, with officials noting various anomalies and shortcomings and directing nursing homes to rectify them within specified deadlines.
Several nursing homes have reportedly been issued show-cause notices and warnings for rectification. During the visits, the team found instances where basements or areas apparently meant for storage were being used for patients and their attendants. Shortcomings relating to drinking water and other basic amenities were also noted.
In some cases, doctors' registration numbers were not displayed, while at least one nursing home reportedly could not produce a doctor's registration number when asked by the inspection team.
Dr Narayan Banerjee, who accompanied the team during the medical assessment, said he was “quite happy” with the ICU facilities inspected so far, though several other issues were noted for subsequent action and re-inspection.
Speaking to reporters, Justice Basu said, “There are many kinds of problems. We have pointed them out. They have assured us that they will rectify them as quickly as possible. If they do not rectify them, there will be consequences.”
Asked why such issues had continued in the past, he said, “We have come for the future. What happened in the past can be considered later. Liability will be fixed later. At present, our first priority is to improve facilities for patients.”
He said deadlines had been given to nursing homes and opportunities provided for rectification.
On complaints regarding health scheme payments and abnormal billing, Justice Basu said details of where complaints could be lodged had been displayed at the nursing homes. “There is no need for slogan shouting in front of nursing homes. Complaints have to be reported to the specified telephone numbers or through the email IDs displayed there,” he said.
The inspection team also examined recent renovations carried out by some nursing homes. Justice Basu said any compromise with municipal rules or patient safety during such renovations would be viewed seriously and action would follow if the violations were found to be non-negotiable.
Representatives of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation, Fire and Emergency Services and police accompanied the team, while district health officials, including the CMOHs of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri, were also involved in the inspections. UNI MBN NST CDS
Tags: #Bengal Nursing homes under scanner: basements used for patients# registration details missing
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