Health Department directs government hospitals to adopt ABHA-based registration and electronic health records while strengthening online consultations, digital attendance and patient referral systems
The Bihar Health Department has directed government hospitals across the state to ensure 100% digital registration of patients attending outpatient departments (OPDs) as part of efforts to strengthen digital health records and expand online healthcare services.
The directions were issued during a review meeting chaired by Health Secretary Kumar Ravi on Wednesday.
ABHA-Based Registration and EHRs Made Mandatory
Government hospitals have been directed to use ABHA-based registration and electronic health records (EHRs) for patients.
The department has also instructed hospitals to expand online consultation services and regularly monitor the digital attendance of doctors.
For patients admitted to inpatient departments, registration through the Bhavya portal has also been made mandatory.
Officials have been directed to closely monitor the implementation of these digital health systems across healthcare facilities.
Government Hospitals Asked to Reduce Avoidable Referrals
The review meeting also examined patient referrals from government hospitals.
Officials were instructed to prevent unnecessary referrals and ensure that patients are transferred to higher-level centres when specialised treatment or facilities are genuinely required.
The department also reviewed maternal and child healthcare services and directed officials to strengthen measures aimed at preventing deaths.
Action has also been ordered where negligence is identified.
ASHA Recruitment and Hospital Upgrades Reviewed
The selection of ASHA workers was reviewed during the meeting, with officials instructed to ensure that recruitment remains within prescribed targets.
The department also assessed plans to upgrade district hospitals into super-speciality medical centres and develop community health centres as specialised treatment facilities.
Progress under the TB-Free Bihar and Anaemia-Free Bihar campaigns was also reviewed.
District Hospitals Report Increase in Surgeries
Surgical services at district hospitals were another focus of the review.
According to data presented during the meeting, district hospitals conducted 2,428 surgeries in June 2026, followed by 5,650 surgeries in July and 8,209 in August.
Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the corresponding number of surgery claims stood at 1,000 in June, 1,331 in July and 1,626 in August.
Hospital Repair Work to Be Completed by October 31
The Health Department has directed officials to complete ongoing repair and improvement work at government hospitals by October 31.
The work includes painting, minor repairs, drinking water facilities, toilets, waiting areas and nursing desks.
The improvement programme covers 36 district hospitals, 56 sub-divisional hospitals, 49 referral hospitals, 332 community health centres, 110 primary health centres, 147 urban primary health centres, 844 additional primary health centres and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
Senior officials from the Bihar Medical Services and Infrastructure Corporation and the State Health Society, among others, attended the review meeting.
Important Highlights
- Bihar government hospitals have been directed to ensure 100% digital OPD registration.
- ABHA-based registration and electronic health records are being implemented for patients.
- Inpatient registration through the Bhavya portal has been made mandatory.
- Officials have been instructed to reduce avoidable patient referrals.
- District hospital surgeries increased from 2,428 in June to 8,209 in August 2026.
- Repair and improvement work across government healthcare facilities has been targeted for completion by October 31.
