Ensure quality care in govt hospitals: Nishant

Patna: State health minister Nishant Kumar on Monday directed all govt health institutions to prioritise quality, time-bound healthcare during a review meeting with senior officials, regional directors and civil surgeons.

He called for strengthening help desks, streamlining OPD registration, token-based queue management and ensuring smooth functioning of diagnostic and medicine distribution services.

The minister stressed full attendance of medical staff, strict cleanliness, availability of essential drugs, functioning equipment, and regular inspections. He also ordered implementation of ABHA-based OPD registration and stricter action against middlemen, while announcing that improved referral systems in district hospitals will begin from July 15.

Earlier, he flagged off 12 awareness vehicles to intensify the campaign against Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) across 12 affected districts. The drive will focus on symptoms, prevention and timely treatment.

The govt has strengthened paediatric ICU facilities in affected areas. Officials said the campaign will be GPS-tracked and emphasised public awareness and preventive care for children.