Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey announced on Thursday that the state government will construct over 1,500 new hospital buildings in rural areas in the upcoming financial year.
The initiative aims to enhance healthcare accessibility across Bihar, particularly in underserved regions.
The announcement came during Pandey’s participation in the Bihar Assembly’s discussion on the Health Department’s budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which stands at Rs 20,035.80 crore.
The Assembly passed the budget through a voice vote, marking a significant step toward strengthening the state’s medical infrastructure.
Major expansion in medical education and healthcare
Highlighting the state's progress in healthcare, Pandey stated that Bihar has emerged as a leading state in the country under the NDA government, with notable improvements in health facilities and infrastructure.
Currently, Bihar has 12 functional government medical colleges and hospitals. However, in the next financial year, the government plans to establish 22 new state-run medical colleges and hospitals. This move is expected to significantly enhance medical education and healthcare services in the state.
Additionally, Bihar is set to witness a major expansion in medical education. The minister revealed that the number of MBBS seats across different medical colleges would rise from the existing 2,870 to 5,220 in the coming years.
Similarly, the total number of hospital beds is projected to increase from 18,984 to approximately 28,884.
One of the most ambitious projects in the state’s healthcare development is the expansion of Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). Once completed, PMCH will have 5,462 beds, making it the second-largest hospital in the world.
To ensure 24/7 healthcare access, all Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Bihar are currently operational round the clock. The minister noted that the number of patients seeking treatment at government hospitals has significantly increased, reflecting the growing trust in public healthcare facilities.
"The vision of our government is to provide quality healthcare to every citizen, reaching even the last person in society," Pandey emphasized.
Efforts to reduce maternal mortality rate
One of the key public health achievements highlighted by the minister was the significant reduction in Bihar’s maternal mortality rate (MMR). The state has successfully lowered the MMR from 312 per lakh live births to 118 per lakh.
Efforts are now underway to further reduce it to 70 per lakh in the coming years.
The large-scale expansion in hospital infrastructure and medical education underscores the Bihar government’s commitment to transforming healthcare services and ensuring quality medical care for all residents, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
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