Patna: The Bihar government has accelerated plans to upgrade district hospitals with super-speciality services, aiming to improve access to advanced medical care and reduce the need for referrals to larger hospitals.
According to the Health Department, work is underway to strengthen 36 district hospitals by deploying specialist doctors, procuring advanced medical equipment and upgrading infrastructure. The government has set a target of completing the initiative before August 15.
Focus On Advanced Treatment At District Level
The proposed upgrades are intended to enable patients with serious medical conditions to receive treatment closer to home. Officials said the strengthened hospitals will offer specialised care for neurological, cardiac, cancer and kidney-related illnesses, reducing dependence on medical colleges and tertiary care centres.
Specialist Departments To Be Established
The Health Department plans to upgrade district hospitals in line with the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS).
Under the proposal, hospitals will have dedicated departments for Neurology, Cardiology, Oncology and Nephrology, staffed by super-specialist doctors trained in their respective fields.
Infrastructure To Be Strengthened
The government also plans to establish modular operation theatres to facilitate complex surgical procedures.
Advanced intensive care units (ICUs) equipped with ventilators, cardiac monitors, dialysis units and other critical care equipment will be developed to provide round-the-clock treatment for seriously ill patients.
Cath labs, blood banks, physiotherapy and rehabilitation centres are also proposed as part of the hospital upgrades. Officials said emergency medicines would be made available on a 24-hour basis.
Government Seeks To Reduce Patient Referrals
The initiative is intended to address the growing number of referrals from government hospitals to larger public and private healthcare facilities.
According to the state government, strengthening district hospitals will reduce avoidable referrals and improve access to specialist care within patients’ home districts. Officials also said the move is expected to curb irregularities linked to referrals, including allegations of middlemen exploiting patients.
Aim To Improve Access And Reduce Costs
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary and Health Minister Nishant Kumar have directed the Health Department to expedite the implementation of the plan, according to officials.
The government said the upgraded facilities are expected to reduce travel costs and waiting times for patients by enabling advanced diagnosis, treatment and post-operative care at the district level.
