North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, Siliguri: OPD, Rates, and Schemes

North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) is a major government-run medical institution located in Sushrutanagar, Siliguri. Established to serve the healthcare needs of the region, it stands as the largest tertiary referral centre for the entire North Bengal area, which includes seven districts.

With a capacity of 1,500 beds, the hospital caters to a vast population, including patients from the neighbouring state of Sikkim and countries such as Nepal and Bhutan. As a key public healthcare facility, it provides a wide range of medical services and accepts government health schemes to make treatment accessible.

This guide provides information on how to schedule an outpatient department (OPD) consultation, details on registration costs, and an overview of the financial assistance schemes available at the hospital.

Outpatient Department (OPD) Fees

The fee mentioned is based on a scanned patient card and is not officially published on the hospital's website. Rates are subject to change. Confirm the current fee at the hospital's registration counter.

• OPD Registration Fee — ₹2

Rates shown are as per the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital Official Website (2024) and are subject to periodic revision. Always verify the latest approved rates on the official source.

How to Get an Appointment

Patients seeking consultation at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital have two primary methods for securing an appointment: online booking and walk-in registration.

For online appointments, patients should use the West Bengal Department of Health & Family Welfare's centralized portal: onlinehmis.wbhealth.gov.in. This is the designated platform for booking OPD slots. While the hospital's own website has sections for appointments, these links are reportedly not functional. Therefore, all online bookings must be routed through the state government's health portal.

Alternatively, patients can opt for walk-in registration directly at the hospital. This involves visiting the OPD registration counters on the day of the consultation. Given the hospital's role as a major referral centre, it experiences high patient footfall, so arriving early is advisable for walk-in appointments.

How Long It Takes to Get Seen

The official website of NBMCH does not specify the exact timings for OPD registration. However, a 2012 government directive for medical colleges in West Bengal established general OPD hours from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Patients should consider these hours as a general guideline.

As the sole tertiary referral hospital for a large region, NBMCH often has long queues and significant waiting times. For walk-in patients, it is recommended to reach the hospital well before the OPD starts to secure a place in the queue. For those with online appointments, arriving at the designated time is important, but some waiting should still be anticipated.

What Treatment Costs and Financial Help

As a government hospital, NBMCH aims to provide services at minimal cost. The OPD registration fee, as indicated on a patient's card, is ₹2. However, this is not officially listed online, so patients should verify the amount at the registration counter. Costs for tests, procedures, and admissions are generally subsidized.

To further support patients financially, the hospital accepts major government health insurance schemes. These include:

Beneficiaries of these schemes can avail of specified treatments and hospitalisation services as per the scheme guidelines. It is important to carry the required scheme card and identification documents to the hospital.

• **Swasthya Sathi:** This is the universal health scheme from the Government of West Bengal. NBMCH is listed as an active, Grade-A public hospital under this scheme, providing cashless treatment facilities to eligible residents of the state.
• **Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY):** This central government scheme provides health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. Eligible beneficiaries from across India can use this scheme at NBMCH.

Key Departments

North Bengal Medical College and Hospital houses a comprehensive range of clinical departments to provide specialized care. The campus is also home to the North Bengal Dental College & Hospital, further expanding its healthcare services. Key departments available at NBMCH include:

• Anaesthesiology
• Cardiology
• Chest Medicine
• Dentistry
• Dermatology
• ENT
• General Medicine
• General Surgery
• Gynaecology and Obstetrics
• Nephrology
• Neuro Medicine
• Neuro Surgery
• Ophthalmology
• Orthopaedics
• Paediatric Medicine
• Paediatric Surgery
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Plastic Surgery
• Psychiatry
• Radiology
• Radiotherapy
• Rheumatology
• Urology

More government hospitals in West Bengal

OPD appointment guides for other government hospitals in West Bengal:

• R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata: OPD Appointment and Costs
• IPGMER and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata: OPD Appointment and Costs
• AIIMS Kalyani: OPD Appointment, Registration, and Fees
• Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata: OPD Appointment and Fees
• Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital: Appointment & OPD Guide
• Burdwan Medical College and Hospital: Appointment, OPD Registration & Cost Guide
• All government hospital OPD guides in West Bengal

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I book an online appointment for North Bengal Medical College and Hospital?

You can book an online OPD appointment through the West Bengal Health Department's central portal at onlinehmis.wbhealth.gov.in. The appointment links on the hospital's own website are not functional.

What is the OPD registration fee at NBMCH?

Based on unofficial sources like a patient's OPD card, the registration fee is ₹2. This is not officially published, so it is advisable to confirm the current amount at the hospital's registration counter.

What are the OPD timings at NBMCH?

The specific OPD registration timings for NBMCH are not published on its website. General OPD hours for government medical colleges in West Bengal are from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. It is recommended to arrive early, especially for walk-in registration.

Does North Bengal Medical College and Hospital accept Swasthya Sathi cards?

Yes, NBMCH is an active Grade-A public hospital under the Government of West Bengal's Swasthya Sathi scheme and provides cashless treatment to eligible beneficiaries.

What government health schemes are available at NBMCH?

The hospital accepts West Bengal's Swasthya Sathi scheme and the central government's Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), which provides health coverage for hospitalization.

Where is North Bengal Medical College and Hospital located?

The hospital is located at Sushrutanagar, Siliguri, in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, PIN: 734012.

Related

• How to find an Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) hospital near you
• Government health schemes in India: a guide
• Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY eligibility check
• CGHS vs Ayushman Bharat: what's the difference

Medical Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.