Patna: The Bihar government has issued fresh guidelines to improve patient care in public hospitals, directing authorities to ensure the availability of stretchers, wheelchairs and patient trolleys across facilities.
The order, issued by the Health Department, Bihar, has been communicated to civil surgeons and chief medical officers in all districts.
Focus On Patient Safety
Officials said the move aims to ensure safe and comfortable transportation of patients within hospitals, particularly for those who are critically ill, injured or unable to walk.
Hospitals have been instructed to maintain adequate numbers of such equipment in proportion to their capacity and patient load.
Availability At Entry Points
The department has emphasised that stretchers and wheelchairs must be readily available at hospital entrances and parking areas to facilitate the immediate transfer of patients from ambulances.
Authorities said the measure is intended to prevent situations where patients are forced to be carried manually due to lack of equipment.
Minimum Equipment Norms
The guidelines specify minimum requirements for different categories of hospitals:
- District hospitals: 20 stretchers and 19 patient trolleys, with adequate wheelchairs
- Sub-divisional hospitals: 12 stretchers, 7 trolleys and 8 wheelchairs
- Community health centres: 7 stretchers, 7 trolleys and 7 wheelchairs
In addition, hospitals have been advised to maintain an extra 10% of equipment as standby, based on bed capacity and patient volume.
Push For Better Public Healthcare
Officials said the directive is part of broader efforts to improve infrastructure and patient services in government hospitals.
The department has asked district authorities to ensure strict compliance and regular monitoring of equipment availability.
