Private participation in health sector in Bihar, says minister

Nawada, Feb 18 (UNI) Bihar health minister Chandramohan Rai today said the state government would allow private participation in the health sector on contractual basis with a view to providing better health care facilities to the people.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Rai said in view of limitations of the present set up, the government has decided to hire private agencies to ensure adequate coverage of the people under health care schemes, on the pattern adopted in states like--Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.

Process of finalising the modalities of contract had since been initiated, he added.

The government has decided to open one hospital for every 30,000 population while a healh care centre would cover 5000 people, he informed.

Mr Rai said all hospitals in district headquarters would be upgraded to the level of district sadar hospital and better medical facilities would be provided there accordingly. He said primary health centres would be opened in the newly constituted blocks by the end of the current year.

UNI