Chapra: The Bihar government has launched a programme to provide free iron therapy to patients suffering from anaemia, in a move aimed at improving public health outcomes and reducing treatment costs.
The initiative was formally introduced at the state level by health minister Mangal Pandey through a video conference, and has since been implemented across district and referral hospitals.
In Chapra, part of Saran district, the programme was inaugurated at Sadar Hospital under the supervision of civil surgeon Dr Rajkumar Chaudhary. During the launch, pregnant women diagnosed with anaemia were administered intravenous doses of Ferric Carboxymaltose, mixed with normal saline and tailored according to body weight.
Officials said the therapy is particularly effective for patients who do not respond adequately to conventional iron tablets. The treatment helps rapidly increase haemoglobin levels, offering quicker relief compared with oral medication.
Dr Chaudhary noted that the drug is typically expensive and often out of reach for low- and middle-income households. Providing it free of cost, he said, would significantly improve access to advanced care and contribute to reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.
Several beneficiaries received the treatment under medical supervision during the inaugural session, overseen by Dr Nisha Kumari. Health officials confirmed that all procedures were conducted safely.
District programme manager Arvind Kumar said the facility would soon be expanded to block-level health centres, enabling patients in rural and remote areas to access the service closer to home.
The programme, broadcast from the MCH building, was attended by hospital officials and healthcare workers, including representatives from the Piramal Foundation.
Authorities described the initiative as a significant step towards addressing anaemia in the state and improving overall maternal and child health outcomes.
