In a significant move to bolster Bihar’s tertiary healthcare infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for AIIMS Darbhanga in Darbhanga, Bihar. This will be the second AIIMS in the state, following AIIMS Patna.
Among the dignitaries present at the event were Rajendra Arlekar, Governor of Bihar; Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Bihar; Chirag Paswan, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries; Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, Deputy Chief Ministers of Bihar; Nityanand Rai, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs; and Mangal Pandey, Health Minister of Bihar.
During his address, the Prime Minister highlighted that AIIMS Darbhanga would significantly enhance healthcare access not only for Bihar but also for neighboring regions, including West Bengal and areas in Nepal. He stressed the importance of providing affordable and accessible healthcare, particularly to the poor and middle class, who often face financial hardships due to medical expenses.
The Prime Minister reflected on India’s past struggles with inadequate healthcare infrastructure, including a shortage of hospitals, doctors, and research centers, which hampered the nation’s progress. He emphasized the government’s commitment to transforming the healthcare sector with a comprehensive approach focusing on five key areas: preventive health, accurate diagnosis, affordable healthcare, expanding access in smaller towns, and leveraging technology to improve service delivery.
As reported by medicalbuyer, the Prime Minister also underscored the government’s emphasis on promoting Yoga, Ayurveda, nutrition, and the Fit India Movement, aiming to combat lifestyle-related health issues. He highlighted efforts such as Swachh Bharat, which promotes cleanliness and aims to reduce the spread of diseases, alongside initiatives like the provision of toilets and tap water connections.
On diagnostics, the Prime Minister noted the establishment of 1.5 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across the country to facilitate early disease detection. He pointed out that over 4 crore patients have benefited from the Ayushman Bharat scheme, saving families approximately ₹1.25 lakh crore in medical costs. He also announced free treatment for senior citizens over the age of 70 and the distribution of Ayushman Vaya Vandana Cards to all eligible beneficiaries.
Focusing on healthcare in smaller towns, the Prime Minister highlighted the rapid expansion of medical education and facilities, including the establishment of new AIIMS institutions. He mentioned that the number of medical colleges has doubled in the last decade, significantly increasing the number of doctors. AIIMS Darbhanga will contribute to producing more healthcare professionals for Bihar and the nation. Additionally, there is a push for higher education in regional languages, including Hindi, to honor the vision of Karpuri Thakur.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the government’s commitment to enhancing cancer care, mentioning the construction of a new cancer treatment facility in Muzaffarpur to serve patients in Bihar. He also announced the establishment of a new eye hospital in the state, inspired by the Sankara Eye Hospital in Varanasi.
Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Bihar, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing that AIIMS Darbhanga would not only improve healthcare in the region but also drive socio-economic development.