THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, March 1: Fresh calls for strengthening healthcare infrastructure in Palamu have emerged after MP V.D. Ram reportedly fell ill while participating in the victory procession of newly elected Medininagar mayor Aruna Shankar.
According to media reports, the three-time MP from Palamu Lok Sabha constituency had to be admitted to a private hospital. The incident has once again brought focus to the lack of advanced medical facilities in the region.
‘If This Is the Situation for an MP, Imagine the Poor’: Devesh Tiwari
Reacting to the development, BJP leader Devesh Tiwari, also a member of the State Level Disha (District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committees) Committee, said the episode reflects the ground reality of healthcare in Palamu.
“V.D. Ram has been representing Palamu since 2014. If he had to be admitted to a private hospital after falling ill, it shows the condition of our public healthcare system. One can imagine the situation of the poor people of this region,” Tiwari said.
He added, “The poor and resource-poor families of Palamu cannot afford private hospitals. In medical emergencies, many families are forced to sell their homes and land, yet they do not get access to quality treatment.”
Letter Sent to Union Health Minister Seeking AIIMS in Palamu
Tiwari said he has written to Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda requesting the establishment of an AIIMS or AIIMS-level super specialty hospital in Palamu Division.
“In view of the serious healthcare crisis, I have formally requested the central government to establish an AIIMS-level hospital in Palamu. This is a long-pending demand of the people,” he said.
In his letter dated March 1, 2026, Tiwari pointed out that Palamu, Garhwa and Latehar districts have been categorized as aspirational districts by NITI Aayog. He stated that the condition of Sadar Hospitals in these districts is substandard and not equipped to handle critical or emergency cases.
Long Distance Referrals Cost Lives
Tiwari highlighted that patients are routinely referred to Ranchi or Varanasi due to the absence of advanced facilities.
“Ranchi is around 140 km and Varanasi nearly 170 km from Palamu district headquarters. In serious cases, especially road accidents, patients lose valuable time while being transported. Many lives are lost on the way,” he said.
He termed it “deeply worrying” that even decades after independence, Palamu Division still lacks access to high-quality healthcare infrastructure.
AIIMS in Palamu Could Serve Bordering States
Palamu Division shares borders with Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. According to Tiwari, an AIIMS-level multi-specialty hospital in the region would not only benefit Jharkhand but also serve people from adjoining states.
“This will not just be a hospital for Palamu. It will serve lakhs of people across state borders. It is time the long-standing public aspiration is fulfilled,” he said.