Siliguri District Hospital Launches Evening OPD to Ease Patient Rush
Siliguri, February 18 2026 — In a move aimed at improving access to healthcare and reducing long queues during daytime hours, Siliguri District Hospital has introduced evening Outpatient Department (OPD) services. The initiative is expected to benefit thousands of patients who rely on the hospital for affordable treatment and often travel long distances to seek medical care.
The evening OPD was inaugurated on Monday by Gautam Deb, who is also a member of the hospital’s Rogi Kalyan Samiti. Health officials and hospital administrators said the extended hours respond to a long-standing public demand and are designed to ensure that fewer patients are turned away due to time constraints.
Addressing a Persistent Access Gap
Siliguri District Hospital is one of the busiest government healthcare facilities in North Bengal, recording an average daily footfall of nearly 3,000 patients. While many patients are residents of Siliguri, a significant number travel from surrounding subdivisions, the Darjeeling hills, northern districts of West Bengal, and neighbouring states such as Bihar and Sikkim.
Until now, the OPD ticket counter closed at 2 pm, which often meant that patients arriving later in the day—especially those travelling from distant areas—were unable to consult a doctor. This led to repeated visits, additional travel costs, and delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Speaking at the inauguration, Mayor Gautam Deb said the introduction of evening services was overdue. “There has been a long-standing need for evening consultations. With this facility now in place, more people will be able to see doctors without being turned away,” he said.
Extended Timings and Key Departments Covered
Under the new arrangement, the OPD ticket counter will remain open until 4 pm, allowing patients additional time to register and consult specialists. Doctors from four critical departments—Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Medicine, and Surgery—will be available during evening hours.
Health authorities say these departments were prioritised based on patient demand patterns. Maternal and child healthcare cases, chronic illnesses, and surgical consultations form a large share of daily OPD visits at the hospital.
Tulsi Pramanik, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Darjeeling district, said the expanded hours would help address pressure on the system. “There is a particularly high demand for doctors treating mothers and children, which is why gynaecology and paediatrics have been included. Many patients also need medical and surgical consultations,” he said.
Seasonal Pressure on Healthcare Services
Hospital officials noted that patient numbers typically rise further during the summer months, when seasonal illnesses and heat-related conditions increase. During such periods, accommodating all patients within limited daytime OPD hours becomes especially challenging.
“The patient load increases significantly in summer, making it difficult to attend to everyone in the earlier time window,” Pramanik said. “With the evening OPD now operational, no patient should have to return without being seen.”
Public health experts say extended OPD hours can reduce congestion, shorten waiting times, and improve overall patient experience, particularly in high-volume government hospitals.
Awareness Still a Key Challenge
While the evening OPD service has been launched, hospital authorities acknowledge that not all patients are yet aware of the new timings. To address this, the administration plans to make announcements through the hospital’s public address system and provide information via the Patient Assistance Centre.
Staff members have also been instructed to guide patients arriving later in the day about registration deadlines and department availability. Officials believe that awareness will gradually improve as word spreads among regular visitors.
Patients visiting the hospital on Monday evening expressed cautious optimism. “Many of us come from far-off places and reach late because of transport delays,” said a patient from a nearby subdivision. “If this continues regularly, it will really help.”
Wider Impact on Regional Healthcare
Siliguri District Hospital plays a crucial role in the healthcare network of North Bengal, often acting as a referral centre for smaller hospitals and primary health centres. The introduction of evening OPD services is seen as a step toward strengthening public healthcare delivery without significantly increasing infrastructure costs.
Healthcare administrators say the success of the initiative will be closely monitored, and additional departments could be considered for inclusion in the future if staffing and resources permit.
Urban health planners also point out that extended OPD hours align with broader goals of improving accessibility in public hospitals, particularly for working individuals who find it difficult to seek care during standard office hours.
Looking Ahead
The launch of evening OPD services at Siliguri District Hospital marks a practical response to patient needs in one of the region’s busiest healthcare facilities. By extending registration and consultation hours and focusing on high-demand departments, the hospital aims to reduce missed consultations and improve continuity of care.
As awareness grows and patient feedback is gathered, health authorities will assess the impact of the initiative on waiting times and patient outcomes. If successful, the model could be replicated in other district hospitals facing similar challenges.
For now, the extended OPD hours offer relief to patients who previously had limited options—bringing the promise of more inclusive and accessible public healthcare one step closer to reality.
