Patients Complain to Health Minister Nishant Kumar During LNJP Hospital Visit, Allege Doctors Are Sending Them to Private Diagnostic Centres
Patna: Bihar Health Minister Nishant Kumar conducted a surprise inspection of Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital in Patna on Wednesday to review healthcare services, patient facilities, and the overall functioning of the hospital. During the visit, several patients raised complaints directly before the minister, alleging that doctors were referring them to private diagnostic centres for medical tests instead of utilizing the facilities available within the government hospital.
As soon as the minister arrived, patients and their attendants gathered around him and shared their concerns. Several patients claimed that despite the availability of diagnostic facilities in the hospital, they were being asked to undergo tests at private laboratories. According to them, this practice significantly increases the cost of treatment and places an additional financial burden on economically weaker patients. They also said that they were unable to fully benefit from the affordable or free medical services that government hospitals are intended to provide.
After listening to the complaints, the Health Minister sought an explanation from hospital officials. He questioned why patients were being referred outside if the required diagnostic facilities were available within the hospital. The minister emphasized that the primary objective of government hospitals is to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services to the public. He warned that if any negligence or irregularity is found, appropriate action will be taken against those responsible.
During the inspection, Nishant Kumar visited various wards, the outpatient department (OPD), diagnostic units, and other sections of the hospital. He interacted directly with patients to gather feedback on treatment, the availability of medicines, diagnostic services, cleanliness, and overall hospital management. While some patients expressed satisfaction with the services, others highlighted issues such as long waiting times, overcrowding, delays in medical tests, and concerns about the conduct of certain doctors and staff members.
The Health Minister instructed hospital authorities to treat patients' complaints with utmost seriousness and ensure their prompt resolution. He stated that referring patients to private diagnostic centres without valid medical or technical reasons is unacceptable. If diagnostic equipment is available and functional within the hospital, all necessary medical tests should be conducted there. He further directed officials to immediately report any malfunctioning equipment or shortage of resources to the Health Department so that timely corrective measures can be taken.
Healthcare experts believe that transparency and accountability are essential for maintaining public confidence in government hospitals. If patients are unnecessarily directed to private laboratories, it not only increases their financial burden but also undermines trust in the public healthcare system. Experts stress that diagnostic facilities in government hospitals should remain fully operational and be monitored regularly to ensure uninterrupted patient care.
LNJP Hospital is one of Patna's major government healthcare institutions, catering to a large number of patients every day. Most of its patients come from economically weaker sections of society and depend heavily on government healthcare services. If they are compelled to seek medical tests at private facilities, the overall cost of treatment becomes significantly higher, making healthcare less accessible.
Apart from reviewing diagnostic services, the Health Minister also assessed cleanliness, medicine distribution, patient amenities, and hospital administration. He instructed officials to strengthen healthcare delivery and ensure that no compromise is made in providing quality treatment. He reiterated that the Bihar government is committed to improving healthcare services in government hospitals and that negligence at any level would not be tolerated.
Officials from the Health Department briefed the minister on the hospital's infrastructure, ongoing healthcare initiatives, and the functioning of various departments. They assured him that the complaints raised by patients would be thoroughly investigated. According to the officials, if any doctor or staff member is found violating established rules or engaging in malpractice, appropriate action will be taken based on the findings of the inquiry.
Healthcare experts believe that surprise inspections by senior government officials are an effective way to identify operational shortcomings in public hospitals. Direct interaction with patients helps authorities understand ground-level realities and accelerates corrective measures. Such inspections also encourage hospital administrations to remain more accountable and responsive to public concerns.
Following the minister's visit, patients expressed hope that their grievances would be addressed seriously and that diagnostic services available in the hospital would be utilized effectively. They believe that a fair investigation and timely reforms could strengthen public confidence in Bihar's government healthcare system while ensuring affordable and accessible medical services for all.
