“The government can do a lot of things, but it has its limitations. It is high time everybody understands this,” said Mukherjee after inaugurating G D Diabetes Institute at Taratala in Kolkata.

The external affairs minister added that the city was once considered as an important centre for medical research and treatment, but it lost its importance after southern and western states came up with state-of-the-art private hospitals.

“The situation is, however, changing as a number of superspecialty hospitals have come up in and around Kolkata. Patients from northeaster states and Bangladesh now come here for treatment,” said Mukherjee. The minister also spoke about the corporate social responsibility in the healthcare sector.

Citing examples of Dr Devi Shetty and Dr Badrinath, Bhattacharjee said the government has been trying to improve healthcare services by bringing in noted healthcare experts in Bengal. He stressed on more private-public investment in the health sector.

“We have a sound healthcare infrastructure and the Central government’s various schemes are also running successfully. But we need more private hospitals to come up in the state,” said Bhattacharjee.

The chief minister claimed that nearly 72 per cent people in the state are benefiting from the state-run healthcare facilities. “I am happy that hospitals equipped with latest technology like G D Diabetes Institute are being set up in the state, but I would like to request them to reserve some seats for the poor too,” Bhattacharjee said.