Former Bihar deputy chief minister Vijay Kumar Sinha has said the state should strive to become so healthy that hospitals and medical colleges are left with no patients to treat.
Speaking at a public event recently, Sinha said, “Our mission should be to make the health of the people of Bihar—and the country— so good that there would be no need for medical colleges and hospitals.”
“This is a resolve we can take. The soil of Bihar has that capability. This is a land of knowledge, a land of science, and a land rich in cultural heritage,” he added.
Later, Sinha shared a clip of his speech on X, featuring his remarks.
Remarks on COVID and nature
Sinha also reflected on the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing a connection between people’s lifestyles and their experiences during the health crisis.
He said, “During the COVID period, those who lived in nature’s lap, stayed close to nature, and nurtured Mother Earth with their hard work and sweat in a spirit of purity and reverence, remained safe. On the other hand, people who stayed confined in air-conditioned rooms or lived far from nature fell victim to that period and lost their lives.”
Bihar’s health challenges
The remarks come as Bihar continues to face significant public health challenges despite improvements in some indicators over recent years.
According to the NITI Aayog State Health Index, Bihar has consistently ranked at or near the bottom among India’s larger states, typically occupying the last position. The state has long grappled with high infant mortality rates, lower life expectancy at birth, and shortages in healthcare infrastructure and medical personnel.
At the same time, Bihar has recorded progress in select areas, including improvements in full immunisation coverage and a reduction in the number of low birth-weight babies.
