Bihar wins national award for commendable work in health sector

PATNA: Bihar has won appreciation in the country for works in the health sector by winning first prize on four counts and second in another category.

The award was given to Bihar at 'National Summit on Best Practises and Innovations in Public Healthcare system in India' at Shimla in Himachal Pradesh yesterday.

Bihar got the prize for commendable work under National Health Mission, a statement from state Health department said today.

The Empowered Action Group awarded Bihar in the categories of infant survival, child survival, safe delivery, indoor and surgical services and second prize in OPD (Outdoor Patient Department), it said.

The award was given by Union Health Minister J P Nadda. Bihar Health Secretary Anand Kishore could not go for the award function as he has been put on election duty in Darbhanga for Legislative Council poll from local bodies scheduled on July 7.

Kishore congratulated health officials for the hard work which won award for the state and announced cash prize as well as citation to them.

The health institutions are providing free medicines, radiology/pathology facilities without charging any fee, free ambulance service for pregnant women and children round the clock.

Due to several welfare schemes, infant mortality has come down to 28 now from 32 in 2006, which is on par with national average, the statement said.