Stop needless patient referrals: CM to doctors

Patna: CM Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday asked govt doctors to end the practice of unnecessarily referring normal patients from sub-divisional and district hospitals to major hospitals by Aug 15, warning that strict action would follow any violation.

Speaking at the launch of the ‘Sahyog’ camp in Sonepur of Saran district, Samrat said govt doctors posted in district and sub-divisional hospitals must stop sending routine cases to bigger medical institutions. He said if any normal patient is referred from such hospitals without valid reason, action would be taken against the concerned civil surgeon.

The CM said the govt has been strengthening infrastructure in govt hospitals precisely to ensure people receive proper treatment closer to their homes. According to him, only patients suffering from serious illnesses should be referred to larger hospitals where advanced treatment facilities are available. His remarks underlined the govt’s intent to improve accountability in the public health system and reduce avoidable pressure on major hospitals.

Samrat also highlighted the purpose of the newly launched ‘Sahyog’ camp, describing it as an initiative aimed at ensuring quick resolution of public grievances related to different govt departments. He said the main objective of the camp is to provide justice and relief to people and assured that every application received through the initiative would be processed within 30 days under all circumstances.

Explaining the mechanism, he said Sahyog camps were organised at panchayat level across the state on Tuesday to facilitate prompt disposal of complaints. He noted the govt had already launched the ‘Sahyog’ portal along with toll-free helpline number 1100 to support the grievance redressal process.

The CM made it clear that officials failing to dispose of applications listed on the Sahyog portal and issue orders within 30 days would face strict departmental action, including suspension. He said district magistrates and SPs would monitor the process in real time, while the CM’s office would also keep watch on officials’ performance.

During the event, Samrat announced the govt would construct the Ganga-Ambika Path on the northern bank of the Ganga in Sonepur on the lines of the J P Ganga Path built in Patna on the southern bank. He said the Sonepur area would be developed on the lines of Noida.

He also said work was progressing rapidly to open degree colleges in all blocks of Bihar. In the 211 blocks where no degree colleges currently exist, classes would begin from July this year.

He added that model schools under ‘Saraswati Vidya Niketan’ would be developed in every block to ensure quality education for children across Bihar.

“The educational system at ‘Saraswati Vidya Niketan’ will be developed in such a manner that even children of ministers and officials will be eager to study there,” he said.