THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, March 11: Healthcare became a major flashpoint in the Jharkhand Assembly’s budget session as the opposition and the government presented sharply contrasting narratives about the state’s health system.
Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi criticised the government for focusing on construction projects while basic services remain weak, claiming hospitals lack doctors and teachers despite new buildings being announced.
Responding to the criticism, Health Minister Irfan Ansari outlined an ambitious roadmap to expand medical infrastructure across the state, including new medical colleges, a major hospital project and improved emergency services.
The debate highlighted the wider political contest over the state’s development priorities during the budget discussions.
Marandi Attacks Budget, Raises Land and Health Issues
Speaking in the House, Marandi described the state budget as a “copy-paste document”, alleging that many schemes and announcements from the previous year had simply been repeated without meaningful progress.
He accused the government of presenting an illusion of development through statistics while failing to address key issues in healthcare, agriculture and welfare.
Marandi also raised the issue of land acquisition in the Nagri area, arguing that fertile land belonging to tribal communities and farmers should not be used for large projects.
He said new institutions such as RIMS-2 could be built on unused barren land rather than agricultural land.
Concerns Over Healthcare Services
The opposition leader questioned the state’s healthcare infrastructure, noting that several medical colleges announced earlier have yet to make meaningful progress.
He also pointed to serious public health concerns, stating that a large number of women and children in the state suffer from anaemia, while many posts for doctors and nurses remain vacant.
Marandi criticised the publicity around the air ambulance service, claiming that in many places, even basic ambulance facilities are unavailable and families are sometimes forced to carry patients to hospitals themselves.
He also demanded stronger treatment facilities for children suffering from thalassemia and called for a fair investigation into an incident involving allegedly infected blood transfusions in Chaibasa.
Food Distribution and Farmer Issues Raised
Beyond healthcare, Marandi highlighted irregularities in the public distribution system, alleging that many beneficiaries were left out of the saree and dhoti welfare scheme and that essential commodities such as pulses and salt had not been distributed for months.
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He also criticised the government for failing to meet paddy procurement targets, saying a lack of storage facilities forced farmers to sell their produce to middlemen.
Referring to an alleged ration embezzlement case in Barhait in Sahibganj district, he said that despite irregularities being detected, no strong action had been taken against officials.
Marandi urged the government to focus less on constructing buildings and more on strengthening basic services and filling vacant posts in key departments.
Government Announces Major Health Expansion
Responding to the criticism during the debate on grant demands for the health, food supply and disaster management departments, Health Minister Irfan Ansari said the government was working to significantly expand healthcare services in the state.
He announced plans to open several new medical colleges to improve medical education and address the shortage of doctors.
According to the minister, the first phase will see medical colleges established in Jamtara, Giridih, Dhanbad and Khunti, followed by additional institutions in Godda, Sahibganj and Seraikela.
Medical University and RIMS-2 Planned
Ansari also said a medical university will be set up in Brambe near Ranchi to strengthen medical education and research.
In addition, the government plans to construct RIMS-2 in Itki, which he described as a major hospital project aimed at expanding advanced healthcare facilities in the state.
The government is also planning a Medico City project, designed to reduce the need for patients to travel outside Jharkhand for specialised treatment.
Focus on Advanced Treatment Facilities
The minister said several steps were being taken to modernise medical infrastructure.
These include installing PET scan machines in medical colleges, setting up cath labs in MGM Hospital Jamshedpur, Dhanbad and Ranchi Sadar Hospital, and providing MRI and CT scan facilities in major hospitals.
He also announced plans to establish high-tech trauma centres across the state, where specialist doctors will be deployed.
Welfare Schemes and Emergency Services
To strengthen maternal healthcare, the minister said free ultrasound services will be provided to pregnant women across Jharkhand.
The government also plans to open Abua medicine stores in rural areas, offering affordable medicines and health guidance.
Emergency response services will be improved with the purchase of new high-tech ambulances equipped with location-tracking systems, supported by call centres in Dumka and Jamtara.
Recruitment Drive in Health Department
Ansari said the government will soon recruit a large number of ANM and GNM health workers to address the shortage of medical staff.
He added that steps were also being taken to improve welfare schemes, including direct payment to farmers for paddy procurement and the continuation of subsidised clothing schemes for poorer households.
