Patna: In a major step towards strengthening emergency healthcare in Bihar, AIIMS Patna and the State Health Society (SHS), Bihar have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a uniform emergency medical care system across government hospitals in the state.
The initiative aims to ensure that patients receive the same standard of emergency treatment regardless of where they seek care, reducing variations in treatment and improving survival during critical medical emergencies.
The MoU was signed by Brinda Lal, Joint Secretary-cum-In-Charge (Training), State Health Society, Bihar, and Prof. Dr. Prashant Kumar Singh, Medical Superintendent, AIIMS Patna, in the presence of Prof. (Brig.) Dr. Raju Agarwal, Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Patna.
Standard emergency treatment across Bihar
Under the partnership, government hospitals will adopt uniform clinical protocols, common triage systems and evidence-based treatment guidelines for managing life-threatening conditions, including:
- Trauma
- Heart attacks
- Stroke
- Poisoning
- Snakebite
- Burns
- Obstetric emergencies
- Other critical illnesses
The objective is to ensure timely and standardised emergency treatment across all levels of the public healthcare system.
Faster referrals during the ‘Golden Hour’
A key component of the initiative is the creation of a coordinated referral network linking district hospitals with tertiary care centres.
Officials said the system will help stabilise critically ill patients before transfer, improve communication between hospitals and reduce delays during the crucial Golden Hour, when prompt medical intervention is most effective.
AIIMS Patna to mentor hospitals
AIIMS Patna will serve as the Apex Technical Resource Centre, providing continuous clinical mentoring and technical support to district hospitals and other government health facilities.
The institute will conduct:
- Tele-emergency consultations
- Virtual grand rounds
- Clinical mentoring
- Supportive supervision
- Quality audits
- Regular capacity-building programmes
The aim is to continuously improve emergency care services rather than relying only on periodic training.
Hub-and-spoke emergency care network
The initiative will establish a Hub-and-Spoke Emergency Care Network, with AIIMS Patna functioning as the central hub.
The state’s 13 government medical colleges will act as regional hubs, mentoring district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals and community health centres to create an integrated emergency care network across Bihar.
Training for doctors and paramedics
Doctors, specialists, nursing officers, emergency medical technicians, paramedics and ambulance personnel will receive competency-based training through:
- Simulation laboratories
- Hands-on workshops
- Bedside teaching
- Standardised emergency care modules
Hospitals will also receive support in strengthening emergency departments, improving triage systems and streamlining patient flow.
AI, Tele-ICU and digital platforms
The collaboration will also introduce several technology-driven healthcare initiatives, including:
- Tele-ICU support
- Digital learning platforms
- Emergency medicine registries
- AI-enabled clinical decision support systems
- Continuous quality improvement programmes
These measures are expected to improve emergency response, clinical decision-making and patient outcomes across the state’s public health system.
Officials highlight long-term impact
Prof. (Brig.) Dr. Raju Agarwal, Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Patna, said the initiative would help build a robust emergency healthcare system by ensuring timely, high-quality treatment while strengthening district hospitals through continuous academic and technical support.
Brinda Lal, Joint Secretary-cum-In-Charge (Training), State Health Society, Bihar, described the collaboration as a major step towards building a stronger and more resilient emergency healthcare system capable of delivering better patient outcomes across Bihar.
