Patna: Bihar Health Minister Nishant Kumar on Friday conducted a live review of healthcare services at district hospitals from the state Health Department’s Command and Control Center, interacting directly with patients, doctors and hospital staff to assess the quality of treatment and public health infrastructure.
The review, carried out alongside Health Department Secretary Kumar Ravi, focused on government hospitals in Vaishali and Araria districts. Officials said the exercise was aimed at improving hospital management and ensuring patients receive better healthcare services across Bihar.
During the monitoring session, the minister sought updates on outpatient department (OPD) management, doctor availability, medicine distribution and diagnostic facilities. He also interacted with patients and their attendants through live video links to gather first-hand feedback on hospital services.
Several patients told the minister that the process for OPD consultations and registration had become smoother compared with previous years. Many highlighted the growing use of digital services, including online registration through the ABHA and Bhavya apps.
One patient said they had registered for treatment over the phone and completed a CBC test at the district hospital without difficulty. Another woman said she had registered through the Bhavya app and was able to collect prescribed medicines easily after consultation.
Patients at both hospitals praised the availability of medicines and diagnostic services, while another patient undergoing surgery at Araria district hospital said diagnostic procedures had been completed and proper care was being provided.
Officials at Vaishali district hospital informed the minister that more than 200 patients visit the OPD daily. The hospital currently provides X-ray, CT scan and ultrasound services, while ambulance facilities are operational across the district.
The minister also reviewed live feeds from the Sick Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) at Araria district hospital and sought updates from doctors regarding the condition of newborns and treatment protocols being followed.
He later reviewed the status of healthcare infrastructure across the state, including the availability of doctors, nurses, Mamta workers and ASHA workers, as well as systems used to monitor healthcare delivery.
During the meeting, the health minister directed officials to regularly collect patient feedback and strengthen hospital facilities further. He also called for the development of an IT-enabled feedback system that would allow patients to submit complaints and suggestions digitally, with the aim of improving transparency and accountability in Bihar’s public healthcare system.
