Private Healthcare Sector Gears Up for Policy Push: Progressive Nursinghome and Hospital Association Announces 9th State Conference in Bengal
Ambar Bhattacharya, Takmaa News, 21st Feb 2026, Kolkata : In a significant development for West Bengal’s private healthcare ecosystem, the Progressive Nursing home and Hospital Association — the state’s largest organization coordinating with the government in the private healthcare sector — convened a high-level preparatory meeting at Kolkata Press Club to formally initiate plans for its 9th Annual State Conference.
The meeting brought together state leadership and representatives of nursing homes from 18 districts, marking a unified statewide mobilization ahead of the conference scheduled for March 23 and 24 at Vedic Village Resort. Organizational responsibilities were distributed, an operational roadmap was finalized, and a comprehensive guest list was confirmed to ensure disciplined and impactful proceedings.
The session was presided over by State Chairman Sheikh Alhajuddin, in the presence of State Secretary Kanailal Das, President Ashutosh Mondal, and other senior leaders including Sabyasachi Saha, Ankur Ray Chowdhury, Gautam Patra, Amit Kumar Biswas, Abhijit Mondal, Dr. Jaydeb Kole, Sanjib Das, Dr. Asit Mondal and Dr. Mosharaf Hossain, among others.
Senior government officials have been invited to the conference, including Principal Secretary (Health) Narayan Swarup Nigam as Chief Guest and Fire & Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose as Inaugurator. Several top administrative authorities, legislators and regulatory heads are also expected to attend.
The Association reiterated that the core objective of the conference is to strengthen transparency, improve governance frameworks, and create a stable regulatory environment for small, medium and large private healthcare institutions. The body also reaffirmed its commitment to constructive collaboration in the implementation of the state’s flagship health insurance scheme, Swasthya Sathi.
A comprehensive charter of demands will be placed at the conference, focusing on healthcare worker safety, rational amendments to the Clinical Establishment Act, a single-window licensing system, streamlined fire and pollution clearances, time-bound grievance redressal mechanisms, and regulation of monopolistic practices in biomedical waste management.
Addressing the gathering, Sheikh Alhajuddin stated, “Our objective is not conflict, but coordination. A structured partnership between government and private healthcare providers is essential to ensure affordable, accessible and accountable medical services for the people.”
With participation expected from institutions across all districts, the upcoming conference is poised to become a defining policy dialogue for Bengal’s private healthcare sector.
