Patna: BJP National President and Union Health Minister JP Nadda arrived in Patna on a two-day visit to Bihar, where he inaugurated an eye hospital at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) on Tuesday. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and several senior leaders were present during the ceremony.
In his address, Nadda highlighted the progress Bihar has made since 2005, crediting the development that has taken place over the past two decades. “The story of Bihar’s development begins in 2005,” he said, reflecting on the significant strides made between 2005 and 2024. Nadda noted that the state’s condition prior to 2005 was dire and that the health sector, in particular, has seen remarkable improvements. “Earlier, healthcare meant treating the sick. Now, it’s about preventing illness,” he added.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar echoed Nadda’s sentiments, stating that before 2005, healthcare in Bihar was in disarray, with only 39 patients visiting primary health centres each month. He credited his administration, in collaboration with the BJP, for expanding healthcare access, noting that primary health centres now see over 11,000 patients monthly. “We arranged for free medicine in hospitals and improved the system. I made a mistake twice, but now I won’t deviate,” Nitish remarked, referring to his shifting political alliances in the past.
As part of the event, Nadda and Nitish also laid the foundation stones and inaugurated several health-related projects, valued at Rs 850 crore. The developments aim to boost healthcare infrastructure in the state. Before attending the IGIMS event, Nadda met with Nitish Kumar at his residence for a brief meeting, where BJP state president Dilip Jaiswal, Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary, and senior leader Vijay Sinha were also present.
During his speech, Nitish Kumar praised IGIMS, which was founded in 1984, but noted that it had fallen into neglect before his government intervened in 2005. The CM pointed to efforts to hire doctors, expand services for kidney, heart, and cancer treatment, and ensure that fewer Biharis need to seek care outside the state. He announced that the newly opened Regional Institute of Eyes at IGIMS will offer free exams and medicine, and that the number of hospital beds has been increased.
