Evening Outpatient Services to Begin at Balurghat District Hospital

Better Access for Patients

Kamal Kumar Biswas.TOD.Balurghat

In a move expected to bring relief to patients across Dakshin Dinajpur, the district health department has announced the launch of evening outpatient services at Balurghat District Hospital starting Friday.

The new outpatient department (OPD) will operate daily from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with the last registration ticket issued at 5:30 p.m., according to district health officials. Doctors and paramedical staff will remain on duty until all registered patients are attended to.

The announcement was made at a press conference on Thursday by the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr.Sudip Das, who said the initiative was being introduced following directions from the Director of Health Services, Swapan Soren, and a policy decision by the state health department.

Press Meeting 

Initially, the evening OPD will focus on three high-demand departments: Medicine, Pediatrics and Gynecology. Each department will offer services on two days a week. Medicine specialists will see patients on Tuesdays and Fridays, pediatric services will be available on Mondays and Wednesdays, while gynecologists will attend patients on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Dr.Sudip Das said the timing and departmental structure were planned in response to patient demand, noting that these three specialties account for the highest outpatient footfall at the hospital. He added that the program would be expanded in the future if it receives a positive response from the public.

Health officials said the initiative aims to improve access to medical care for working individuals and patients who are unable to visit the hospital during regular daytime hours, marking a significant step toward strengthening public health services in the district.