The West Bengal government has unveiled an ambitious healthcare and administrative expansion plan in its 2026 Budget, proposing the establishment of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in North Bengal, a dedicated cancer hospital, and the addition of 650 MBBS seats across 13 medical colleges. The announcements form part of a broader strategy to strengthen healthcare access, medical education and public service delivery across the state.

Presenting the first full Budget of the BJP government in the State Assembly, Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta said the initiatives are aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure, expanding specialist treatment facilities and addressing the growing demand for medical professionals. The proposed AIIMS and cancer hospital in North Bengal are expected to significantly enhance tertiary healthcare services in the region, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances for advanced treatment.

The expansion of medical education capacity through an additional 650 MBBS seats is expected to strengthen the state’s healthcare workforce and support India’s broader efforts to address doctor shortages. The government has also proposed increasing postgraduate medical training opportunities, further enhancing specialist healthcare capacity in the coming years.

A major policy announcement in the Budget focuses on improving healthcare affordability through public private collaboration. Under the proposed framework, private hospitals establishing advanced healthcare facilities in the state will be required to reserve 50 percent of their beds for patients referred from government hospitals, either free of cost or at subsidized rates. The initiative is designed to improve access to quality healthcare for economically vulnerable populations.

The government also announced plans to support patients and caregivers seeking specialized treatment outside West Bengal. Affordable accommodation facilities are proposed under public private partnership models for families travelling to major healthcare destinations such as Mumbai and Vellore, helping reduce the financial burden associated with long term medical treatment.

Alongside healthcare investments, the Budget proposes the creation of five new districts Kolkata, Basirhat, Sundarban, Jangipur and Arambagh with the objective of improving governance, administrative efficiency and public service delivery. The government has also proposed a new police district in Kanthi, a subdivision in Gopiballavpur and seven new municipalities at Shivmandir, Gazole, Chanchal, Belda, Badhana, Kamarpukur and Kolaghat.

Healthcare experts have welcomed the focus on medical infrastructure and education, noting that increased hospital capacity and expanded medical training opportunities are critical to meeting the healthcare needs of a growing population. The proposed AIIMS, cancer hospital and additional MBBS seats are expected to improve access to specialized care, strengthen regional healthcare services and enhance the state’s long-term healthcare capacity.

The Budget signals a strong emphasis on healthcare modernization, affordability and accessibility, positioning the sector as a key pillar of West Bengal’s development agenda for the coming years.