Development of health sector in Bihar

Katihar: Tarkishore Prasad, the Deputy chief minister, on Sunday has already laid the foundation stones for the development of a maternal and child health (MCH) unit comprising of 100 beds and a new building on the sadar hospital campus with 100 beds.

The deputy CM while inaugurating the health infrastructure projects in Katihar and Purnia districts, worth Rs 49 crore stated that the chief minister, Nitish Kumar’s roadmap related to the health sector of the state has already started on with its formation.

He also paid homage to the warriors who lost their lives whilst fighting against the fatal virus.

Health minister, Mangal Pandey, who was at the occasion stated, “The MCH building will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore and the structure will have 7 out-patient departments (OPD), four emergency wards, 3 operation theatres, and several other hi-tech facilities. The building will be constructed as per the National Building Code norms and the structure will be equipped with fire alarms and will be quake-resistant”.

Prasad also said that mother and child hospitals are also being constructed at numerous Sadar hospitals of the state in order to promote institutional delivery and provide child care especially to the ones suffering from a hole in the heart, a congenital defect, and also a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) or an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). Katihar unit is one amongst them.

While reminiscing his connection with the hospital, the health minister exclaimed, “Process to convert nine sadar hospitals into model hospital is underway, while a detailed project report (DPR) is being prepared for 12 other sadar hospitals. Renovated APHCs and MCHs are functional at several places”.

Pandey further reported, “More medical officers and specialists will be appointed in different hospitals, while vacant positions for ANMs, GNMs and Ayush doctors will be filled soon. Besides, we have hiked the salary of Ayush doctors”.

On Sunday, in addition to these, the renovated ANM training centre-cum-hostel building, a project priced at Rs 2.26 crore was inaugurated. In Katihar district, a foundation stone was laid for Haflaganj additional primary health centre (APHC). The recently-developed APHCs at Pokharia and Ranipatra opened its gate for public visits.

On the premises of the sadar hospital in Purnia, RTPCR lab facility and a centre for conducting DNB (Diplomate of National Board) course for medical students started on with its function.

Both the members from BJP and JD (U) of the Nitish Kumar-led government, were at the occasion, but the photographs of the CM were not seen in the posters, banners and brochures that were framed for the event.