Buxar: In a significant move aimed at strengthening the fight against tuberculosis, Methodist Hospital in Buxar is set to be developed into a Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) treatment centre, according to an announcement by the Bihar Health Department.
The new centre will cater not only to patients from Bihar’s old Shahabad region—including Sasaram, Bhabua, Bhojpur, and Buxar districts—but also from adjoining parts of Purvanchal in Uttar Pradesh, such as Ghazipur, Ballia, Azamgarh, Varanasi, and Sonbhadra, said Raju Rai Mukhiya, a representative of Chilahari Gram Panchayat, under whose jurisdiction the hospital falls.
Part of Statewide Anti-TB Strategy
Bal Krishna Mishra, Additional Director-cum-State Programme Officer, stated on Thursday that the initiative is part of the National Tuberculosis Eradication Programme. The state is rolling out DR-TB hubs in partnership with private healthcare institutions through an Expression of Interest (EOI) model.
“Consent has been received from 37 private hospitals across nine districts to function as DR-TB centres, including Methodist Hospital in Buxar,” Mishra confirmed. “These centres will be supplied with anti-TB drugs and diagnostic materials by the district health administration to ensure effective and accessible treatment for patients.”
Hospital Prepares for Role in TB Eradication
Dr R.K. Singh, Superintendent of Methodist Hospital, welcomed the development and noted that referrals would be routed through a voluntary organisation appointed by the health department.
“I have given my consent to the proposal,” said Dr Singh. “The district health authorities will handle the next steps. We are also in the process of registering the hospital under the Ayushman Bharat scheme to enable free treatment for underprivileged patients holding Ayushman cards.”
This move is expected to ease the burden on urban TB centres and bring critical treatment closer to rural populations that often face logistical challenges in accessing specialized healthcare.
