Experts call for data-driven reforms in Bihar healthcare

Patna: Healthcare professionals in Bihar believe that strengthening scientific understanding can transform the state’s healthcare system by shifting it from a reactive model to evidence-based, data-driven and preventive care.Highlighting this year’s World Health Day theme, “Together for health, stand with science,” they stressed the urgent need to adopt scientific approaches to address the state’s persistent health challenges.Dr Sanjeev Kumar of AIIMS-Patna said that in an era marked by rapid scientific and technological advances, healthcare must rely on evidence-based treatment protocols. He noted that adopting data-driven and patient-centric practices could significantly reduce suffering and improve outcomes in Bihar.Dr Kumar said key reforms should include the introduction of AI-driven diagnostics, real-time monitoring through digital health records, skill upgradation of frontline health workers, and science-based nutrition interventions to combat malnutrition.Echoing similar views, Dr Satish Kumar of Nalanda Medical College Hospital said scientific awareness among doctors and the public alike was essential. Recent digitisation of the state health system, including telemedicine services, has increased access to healthcare in remote areas by over 35% in some pilot districts, he said.Dr Rajiv Ranjan Prasad, former state president of the Indian Medical Association, underlined the need for adequate staffing at health facilities. He said several advanced medical machines remain unused due to a lack of trained personnel.