Bihar Govt Hospitals directed to ensure 100 per cent digital OPD registration

Patna: Government hospitals across Bihar have been directed by the state Health Department to ensure 100 per cent digital registration of patients in outpatient departments (OPDs), as part of efforts to strengthen digital health records and expand online healthcare services. 

The directions were issued during a review meeting chaired by Health Secretary Kumar Ravi on Wednesday. Hospitals have been asked to use ABHA-based registration and electronic health records (EHRs) for patients, while also expanding online consultation services and regularly monitoring doctors’ digital attendance. 

For patients admitted to inpatient departments, registration through the Bhavya portal has also been made mandatory. The department has asked officials to closely monitor implementation of these digital systems at healthcare facilities. 

The review meeting also focused on the referral of patients from government hospitals. Officials were directed to prevent avoidable referrals and ensure that patients are shifted to higher centres when specialised treatment or facilities are genuinely required.

Maternal and child healthcare was another focus area, with the department directing officials to strengthen efforts to prevent deaths and take action where negligence is found. The selection of ASHA workers was also reviewed, with instructions to ensure recruitment remains within the prescribed targets.

The department further assessed plans to upgrade district hospitals into super-speciality medical centres and develop community health centres as specialised treatment facilities. Progress under the TB-Free Bihar and Anaemia-Free Bihar campaigns was also reviewed. 

The review also covered surgical services at district hospitals. Data presented during the meeting showed that 2,428 surgeries were performed in June 2026, 5,650 in July and 8,209 in August. Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the corresponding number of surgery claims was 1,000 in June, 1,331 in July and 1,626 in August, Patna Press reported.

Meanwhile, the Health Department has directed officials to complete ongoing repair and improvement work in government hospitals by October 31. The work includes painting, minor repairs, drinking water facilities, toilets, waiting areas and nursing desks.

The improvement programme covers 36 district hospitals, 56 sub-divisional hospitals, 49 referral hospitals, 332 community health centres, 110 primary health centres, 147 urban primary health centres, 844 additional primary health centres and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Bihar Medical Services and Infrastructure Corporation and the State Health Society, among others.