JD(U) Praises Health Minister Nishant Kumar's Working Style; Sanjay Kumar Jha Says He Believes More in Action Than Words
Patna: The Bihar government continues to focus on strengthening the state's healthcare system. Following the recent decision to remove the Principal of Patna Medical College (PMC), Health Minister Nishant Kumar's administrative style has become a topic of discussion. Amid this, Janata Dal (United) National Working President Sanjay Kumar Jha openly praised the minister, saying that he believes in delivering results through action rather than making public statements and is working seriously toward bringing significant reforms to Bihar's healthcare sector.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Sanjay Kumar Jha said that Health Minister Nishant Kumar's approach closely reflects the administrative philosophy of former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He noted that Nitish Kumar has always emphasized that a person's work should speak louder than words, and Nishant Kumar is leading the Health Department with the same principle.
Jha said the state government's objective is not limited to improving healthcare facilities in major cities but also to ensure that quality medical services are available in rural areas and smaller towns. To achieve this, the Health Department has been implementing various reforms in a planned and systematic manner. He added that the minister regularly reviews departmental performance with senior officials and ensures prompt action wherever negligence is found.
Referring to the recent removal of the PMC Principal, Jha said the decision reflects the government's commitment to administrative accountability. He stated that the government's priority is to ensure that patients receive timely and quality treatment in government hospitals and that any form of negligence in healthcare services will not be tolerated. Necessary administrative decisions are being taken continuously to improve the overall quality of healthcare.
He further said that Health Minister Nishant Kumar's clear objective is to ensure that people do not have to travel to Patna for treatment of every minor or major illness. If quality healthcare services are available at district and sub-divisional levels, patients will save both time and money, while reducing the burden on major hospitals in the state capital.
With this objective in mind, the government is upgrading district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, community health centres, and primary health centres with modern infrastructure and improved medical facilities. The Health Department is focusing on providing advanced medical equipment, appointing specialist doctors, ensuring an adequate supply of medicines, and strengthening healthcare infrastructure across the state.
Sanjay Kumar Jha also revealed that during a recent meeting with the Health Minister, extensive discussions were held on the increasing number of road accidents on national and state highways and the urgent need for additional trauma centres. The meeting emphasized the importance of providing quality medical treatment to accident victims within the "golden hour," the critical period immediately following a serious injury.
To address this challenge, the government is working on plans to establish modern trauma centres along major highways and in accident-prone areas. According to Jha, these facilities will significantly improve emergency response capabilities and increase the chances of saving lives by providing specialized treatment immediately after accidents. It will also reduce the need to transport critically injured patients over long distances to major hospitals.
Health Minister Nishant Kumar has directed departmental officials to prepare a comprehensive action plan for strengthening the state's trauma care network. The plan will prioritize modern medical equipment, trained healthcare professionals, an efficient ambulance network, and improved emergency medical services. At the same time, efforts are being made to enhance the capacity of district-level healthcare institutions.
Jha said that under Nitish Kumar's leadership, Bihar's healthcare system has witnessed significant improvements over the past several years. The establishment of new medical colleges, expansion of district hospitals, recruitment of doctors and healthcare workers, free medicine distribution, and the introduction of modern medical equipment have all contributed to strengthening public healthcare services.
He added that the current Health Minister is taking these reforms further. According to Jha, Nishant Kumar follows a result-oriented approach and regularly monitors the progress of various health initiatives. Immediate action is taken whenever lapses are identified, ensuring greater accountability within the department.
Jha also emphasized that the government's goal is not merely to construct hospitals but to ensure that they provide high-quality healthcare services. Efforts are being made to improve the availability of doctors, introduce advanced diagnostic facilities, strengthen medicine management systems, and create a more transparent and patient-friendly healthcare system. He expressed confidence that Bihar's healthcare sector would witness several more important reforms in the coming years.
He said that under Nishant Kumar's leadership, Bihar's healthcare system is expected to become stronger, enabling people to access quality medical services at the district and block levels. This, he added, will reduce dependence on hospitals in Patna while ensuring balanced healthcare development throughout the state.
Concluding his interaction with the media, Sanjay Kumar Jha said that improving healthcare services remains one of the government's highest priorities. He stated that departmental officials are working with dedication to ensure that every citizen of Bihar receives timely, accessible, and high-quality medical care without unnecessary hardship.
Amid ongoing discussions about the Health Minister's administrative style, the public endorsement by the JD(U) leadership is being seen as a strong indication that the government intends to accelerate its healthcare reform agenda. Attention will now remain focused on the Health Department's upcoming decisions and initiatives aimed at further strengthening Bihar's public healthcare system.
