Kolkata, Oct 22 (IANS): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday said all patients will be entitled to receive free treatment, free diagnostics and free surgery in all government hospitals and health centres across the state.

"Henceforth, all patients will receive free treatment, free diagnostics and free surgery in all government hospitals and health centres from village to district level," said Banerjee, who also holds the health portfolio.

"All paying beds are now being converted as free beds."

Aimed at making medical facilities affordable for the rural and economically backward classes, she said patients will be able avail free beds even in critical care units.

"This decision will give a significant relief to nearly 76 percent of the people in Bengal, who avail treatment in government hospitals," she said.

Besides adding 12,000 beds in government hospitals, Banerjee said 10,000 doctors and nurses would be appointed in the near future. She also said more fair-priced diagnostic centres and medicines shops will be set up.