Siliguri, Nov. 24: The Siliguri subdivisional hospital yesterday threw open two pay wards, where a patient can get treated for Rs 50 per day.

The North Bengal Medical College and Hospital is the only other health institution in the Darjeeling district to boast of paying bed facilities.

Altogether, the wards, which have been constructed under the World Bank-funded state health system development project,comprise 36 paying beds.

The wards are divided into separate male and female section, consisting of 18 beds each.

“The latest additions are in tune with the state government order which stipulates that patients should be charged a certain fee against 30 per cent of the beds,” said Tapan Saha, hospital superintendent.

“This will increase the hospital’s revenue. Moreover, once the SHDSP is completed in 2003, we have to meet the maintenance expenses. Hence, we have little option but to charge a nominal fee of Rs 50. The fees will be, however, charged from those patients who can afford,” said T.N. Chattaraj,.chief medical officer of health, Darjeeling.

“The project has provided the hospital with state-of-the-art equipment, which have to be maintained for upgraded medical facilities,” the superintendent said.

Saha was, however, quick to point out that a similar approach would be undertaken for both “free” and “paying bed” patients.

“The only difference is in case of free wards. According to the rules, authorities cannot refuse any patient. But if the paying beds are all occupied, then we can turn away patients on the pretext of overcrowding,” Saha added.

Overcrowding, according to the hospital sources, has indeed been a “serious problem” for the past six months. The problem becomes acute during monsoons when a large number of people in the Dooars come down with either malaria or gastro-enteritis.

The hospital gets patients not only from the town but adjoining districts and neighbouring Bihar as well.

“It is the free will of a patient to take admission to a ward of his or her choice. However for admission to a free ward, priority will be given to those who live below the poverty line,” said the superintendent.

“As of now, the food provided to the patients would be free of cost. But a charge will be levied by the middle of next month,” Saha said.

“Plans are afoot to hand over the contract to a professional caterer, who can provide cooked food to the patients,” he added.