Patna: Bihar’s Health Minister, Mangal Pandey, officially launched the “Jeevandeep Programme” on Tuesday at the Adhiveshan Bhawan Auditorium in Patna, aiming to strengthen the technical skills of doctors and staff nurses and improve the quality of healthcare services across the state.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the state has already established 45 Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) in various districts. The latest initiative focuses on expanding the mentoring system in labour rooms and SNCUs/NBSUs at key delivery centres.
In the initial phase, the programme will implement a mentoring framework at labour rooms and SNCUs in 35 district hospitals and the Sub-Divisional Hospital in Danapur, Patna. Future phases will include health institutions with higher delivery loads.
Pandey highlighted the inauguration earlier this month of Mother Newborn Care Units (MNCUs) in 15 sub-divisional hospitals, representing a significant step towards improving maternal and newborn care standards. These units were established at a cost of Rs 17.4 crore.
A total of 140 mentors — including gynaecologists, paediatricians and staff nurses — have been selected from across the state’s labour rooms and SNCUs to receive enhanced practical training. These mentors will subsequently provide training in other healthcare institutions, creating a sustainable network of skilled professionals.
The minister also reflected on the success of the “Amanat programme” launched in 2017, which led to measurable improvements in clinical practice among nurses. According to the Sample Registration System (SRS) data for 2022, Bihar’s maternal mortality rate (MMR) has declined to 91 and neonatal mortality rate (NMR) to 26.
Pandey emphasised that healthcare workers must not only be technically proficient but also embody compassion, patience and ethical responsibility. He directed health officials to conduct regular hospital visits to ensure training translates into tangible benefits for patients.
“Our goal is to ensure every patient receives quality treatment, every pregnant woman has a safe delivery, and every child enjoys a healthy life,” he said.
