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News18 Bangla honours Bengal’s healthcare heroes at 2026 summit
Fourth edition introduces three new awards recognising doctors, women leaders and frontline healthcare workers
MUMBAI: Not every hero wears a white coat but on this stage, every healing hand had its moment in the spotlight. From renowned surgeons to frontline ASHA workers, Bengal’s healthcare community took centre stage as service, compassion and dedication earned applause beyond hospital walls.
News18 Bangla concluded the fourth edition of the News18 Bangla Healthcare Summit 2026, bringing together leading healthcare professionals, policymakers and medical institutions to recognise excellence across West Bengal’s healthcare ecosystem.
Held in the presence of Dr Sharadwat Mukherjee, Minister of State for the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal, the summit marked its biggest edition yet, expanding its recognition programme to honour not only medical achievements but also the contributions of frontline healthcare workers often overlooked.
A key highlight this year was the introduction of three new award categories aimed at celebrating different pillars of the healthcare sector.
The Agnishwar Samman recognised doctors whose exceptional service and commitment have made a lasting impact on healthcare and society. The Abhaya Samman honoured women doctors for breaking barriers and making significant contributions to medicine, while the Swasthya Bondhu Samman celebrated nurses, paramedics, technicians, support staff and ASHA workers whose work continues to strengthen healthcare delivery at the grassroots.
The summit also brought together a distinguished line-up of public representatives, including Agnimitra Paul, Dr Ajay Kumar Poddar, Dr Indranil Khan and Dr Sumay Hira, highlighting the growing focus on recognising healthcare excellence as a key contributor to the state’s social and economic development.
By broadening its recognition beyond hospitals and specialist doctors, the event placed equal emphasis on the people who keep the healthcare system running every day from emergency responders and nursing staff to community health workers serving at the last mile.
With the expanded format, News18 Bangla reinforced its commitment to recognising individuals and institutions that continue to shape healthcare through innovation, service and compassion, while encouraging the next generation of medical professionals to carry that legacy forward.
The News18 Bangla Healthcare Summit 2026 will be telecast on News18 Bangla on 8 and 9 August 2026 from 9 am onwards.
