Patna: Flagging gaps in maternal healthcare and hospital services across Patna, divisional commissioner Rajesh Kumar on Thursday directed officials to improve patient care, boost ANC registration and institutional deliveries, and strengthen dengue and post-flood disease preparedness.Reviewing the performance of health services, Kumar stressed the need for 100% antenatal care (ANC) registration, full immunisation coverage, institutional deliveries and National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certification of hospitals. He also called for heightened preparedness against dengue and post-flood diseases.The review showed wide disparities among districts. While Patna achieved 122% of its ANC registration target between April and August, Buxar managed only 83%. Kumar directed Buxar and other low-performing districts, particularly Bhojpur, to launch special drives to ensure complete registration and regular antenatal check-ups.Concerns were also raised over institutional deliveries. Buxar achieved only 16% of its C-section target during the period, compared with 237% in Patna. Kumar asked officials to ensure availability of specialists and timely treatment for pregnant women.Emphasising patient care, the commissioner said doctors should devote adequate time to examination and treatment and ensure diagnostic facilities are available. He noted that govt hospitals primarily serve poor and vulnerable sections and urged officials to remain sensitive to patients’ needs.The review found that average OPD waiting times ranged from 32 minutes in Buxar to 37 minutes in Patna. Civil surgeons were directed to strengthen OPD management and conduct surprise inspections to reduce delays.On disease prevention, Kumar instructed civil surgeons to ensure regular anti-dengue fogging through urban local bodies and maintain close surveillance of suspected cases. He also directed health teams to remain active in flood-hit areas to prevent water-borne and other infectious diseases.Full immunisation coverage stood at 88% in Bhojpur, 103% in Buxar, 107% in Kaimur, 110% in Nalanda, 94% in Patna and 104% in Rohtas. Kumar asked all districts to achieve full coverage and directed district magistrates to regularly monitor health indicators and hospital performance.
