Jhargram is a relatively new district of West Bengal, located in the Jangalmahal region. Its population is about 1.14 million, and much of the district is made up of forests and tribal-dominated rural areas. For this reason, the district’s health infrastructure has grown mainly around Jhargram town, while remote forest areas such as Belpahari, Binpur, Nayagram and Gopiballavpur are covered by a network of rural hospitals and primary health centres. With the recent opening of the Jhargram Government Medical College and Hospital, people of this region no longer have to travel to Kharagpur or Kolkata for advanced treatment — access to specialist care within the district has grown.
Major Hospitals and Medical Centres
The table below lists the main government medical institutions of Jhargram district with their name, type, location and contact number —
| Hospital | Type | Location | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jhargram Government Medical College & Hospital | Medical College | Jhargram | 03221-255145 |
| Jhargram District Hospital | District Hospital | Jhargram | — |
| Belpahari Rural Hospital | Rural Hospital | Belpahari | 8250995325 |
Emergency Numbers
Remember these numbers in any emergency —
- Police: 100
- Ambulance: 108
- Fire: 101
- KYC (Women and Child Helpline): 1078
The District Police Superintendent’s office (SP office) can be reached at 03221-255192.
Health Services and Benefits
- Swasthya Sathi Card: Applicable to every family in West Bengal, this health insurance scheme allows Jhargram residents too to receive expensive treatment at empanelled government and private hospitals of the state. If you do not have a card, contact your local block office or Common Service Centre.
- Primary Health Centres: Every village in the Jhargram, Jamboni, Binpur, Gopiballavpur, Sankrail and Nayagram blocks has a primary health centre or sub-centre nearby. For common ailments, vaccination and maternal check-ups, visiting these centres first is the best option.
- Maternal and Child Health: To avail the state government’s maternity benefit schemes, contact ASHA workers at the block health centre.
- Immunisation: Regular childhood vaccination and necessary vaccines for the elderly are given free at government health centres.
- Health Camps in Tribal Areas: Mobile health camps and medicine distribution drives run periodically in forest and hilly areas — check the schedule with your local panchayat or health workers.
Health Tips
- To prevent dengue and malaria in the monsoon, clear standing water and use mosquito nets — this is especially important in the Jangalmahal region.
- In summer, drink boiled water and eat clean food rather than unknown local drinks.
- Traditional green leafy vegetables and country-chicken eggs of tribal areas are good sources of nutrition — include them in your diet.
- Residents of remote villages should learn the route and number of their nearest rural hospital or primary health centre in advance for emergencies.
- Keep your Swasthya Sathi card and Aadhaar at hand so that emergency admissions are not delayed.