RELIEF FOR PATINETS IN BIHAR

RELIEF FOR PATINETS IN BIHAR

13-AUG-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA-------------------------Patients in Bihar will now be able to get medical treatment for ₹2. The Modi government has presented this major gift to the state. Under this initiative, the central government has approved the establishment of 598 urban health centers in urban areas. Patients will receive treatment at these centers for a nominal fee of just two rupees. This will provide better healthcare facilities to urban residents, particularly those living in slum areas. The Health Department has decided to strengthen the scope of health services in the state under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM). Approval has been received from the Government of India to operate a total of 164 Urban Primary Health Centers (UPHCs) and 434 Urban Health and Wellness Centers (UHWCs) in the state for the 2026-27 financial year.

At these new health centers, patients will be provided with all health facilities completely free of charge. To consult a doctor in the OPD, patients will only need to purchase a registration slip (facility fee) for ₹2. For the convenience of the public, UPHC OPD timings will be from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, while UHWCs will operate from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

In a special move, 11 'Jan Seva Kendras' (Public Service Centers) currently operating in Patna will be converted into Urban Health and Wellness Centers through a joint initiative by Patna Smart City Limited and the Health Department. The Government of India has also given the green signal for the operation of these 11 centers for the 2026-27 financial year.

The UPHCs will primarily offer 12 types of services, including OPD consultations, maternal and child health services, routine immunization, family planning, counseling, screening for communicable and non-communicable diseases, and free medicine distribution. Provisions have also been made to organize special remote health camps and 'Ayushman Arogya' camps to directly extend benefits to residents of slum areas. With the health of the youth in mind, Urban Health and Wellness Centres (UHWCs) are being set up in 19 government polytechnic institutes and 14 government engineering colleges located within urban body areas; these have received approval from the Central Government. In urban areas, health centres will be operated in rented premises near slum populations. Urban ASHAs and women will play a significant role in this initiative.