AIIMS Patna, Bihar State Health Society sign MoU to strengthen emergency care across the state

Patna: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Patna, and the State Health Society (SHS), Bihar, have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a uniform emergency care system across the state. 

Executive Director and CEO, AIIMS Patna, Prof (Brig.) Dr Raju Agarwal said that the MoU has been signed to ensure that patients receive the same standard of emergency treatment, regardless of where they seek care. 

He said that the MoU was signed on behalf of the State Health Society, Bihar by Brinda Lal, Joint Secretary cum In-Charge (Training) and on behalf of AIIMS Patna by Prof. Dr. Prashant Kumar Singh, Medical Superintendent, news agency UNI reported.

He said that the partnership aims to address one of Bihar's biggest healthcare challenges delays and variations in emergency treatment. 

Through this initiative, emergency services across government hospitals will be standardised using uniform clinical protocols, common triage systems and evidence-based treatment guidelines, ensuring that patients with trauma, heart attack, stroke, poisoning, snakebite, burns, obstetric emergencies and other life-threatening conditions receive timely and standardized care across the state.

A key focus of the collaboration is to develop a seamless and coordinated referral system, he said, adding that patients requiring advanced treatment will be referred quickly through clearly defined referral pathways, reducing delays between district hospitals and tertiary care centres, reports UNI.

The initiative is expected to improve patient stabilization before transfer, strengthen communication between hospitals and ensure that critically ill patients reach higher centres without losing precious time during the Golden Hour.

Under the agreement, AIIMS Patna will function as the Apex Technical Resource Centre and will provide continuous hand-holding and clinical mentoring to District Hospitals and other government healthcare facilities.

Rather than limiting its role to periodic training programmes, AIIMS Patna will work closely with healthcare teams through regular mentoring, tele-emergency consultations, virtual grand rounds, supportive supervision and quality audits, helping hospitals continuously improve their emergency care capabilities.

Dr Agrawal said that AIIMS Patna will also support hospitals in developing standardised emergency departments, strengthening triage systems, implementing clinical protocols and improving patient flow management.

The collaboration will further introduce tele ICU support, digital learning platforms, emergency medicine registries, artificial intelligence-enabled decision support systems and continuous quality improvement programmes to strengthen emergency healthcare delivery throughout the state.

Dr Agarwal said the initiative would help build a robust emergency healthcare system where every patient receives timely, standardised and high-quality treatment, while simultaneously strengthening the capabilities of district hospitals through continuous academic and technical support.

Brinda Lal, Joint Secretary cum In-Charge (Training), State Health Society, Bihar, said, "This collaboration with AIIMS Patna marks a significant step towards strengthening Bihar''s emergency healthcare system.

She added that the State Health Society remains committed to supporting initiatives that enhance patient outcomes and build a resilient public health system across Bihar.

By bringing together standardised emergency protocols, a strengthened referral network, continuous mentoring and modern digital technologies, the AIIMS Patna and State Health Society partnership is expected to transform emergency healthcare in Bihar, ensuring faster response, better coordination and improved survival for patients during medical emergencies.