Third wave has already begun in Bihar, says CM Nitish Kumar

Inaugurating the 96th national conference of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has already started in the state and that all necessary arrangements were being made to protect people.

“Doctors worked tirelessly risking their lives and treated both Covid and non-Covid patients when the first and second waves of Covid hit the state. They deserve all the appreciations,” Kumar said, appreciating the role doctors in saving lives of people during the last two waves of the pandemic.

According to the CM the third wave has already started in the state and the health department is busy improving facilities at hospitals as per the guidelines issued by the Centre and state governments. Nitish added that work is in the process to improve healthcare facilities in the state too.


The CM assured the medical fraternity of full government support and asked them to make people aware of the health problems caused by consumption of liquor and public defecation.

Since doctors have a distinct status in society and are considered 'god' by people for saving their lives, Kumar explained, they may contribute in bringing awareness to society against social evils.

“The Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) is being developed as a world-class facility with over 5,400 beds. The number of beds at NMCH and some other medical college and hospitals in the state was also being increased,” Kumar said.

“Nine new medical colleges have been established in the state,” the CM said. The number of beds at Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences in Patna were also being increased.

In view of increasing Omicron cases across the country, the Bihar government ordered to close parks, including the Jaivik Udyaan from December 31 to January 2.

According to the Health Ministry, 653 cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus have been reported in the country so far.

(With inputs from TOI)