Ranchi, March 11 Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari said on Wednesday that healthcare facilities in the state are rapidly expanding, and emphasized that Jharkhand will make significant progress in the health sector in the coming years.
Eight medical colleges and a cluster of 12 super-specialty hospitals will be established in various parts of the state, he said, adding that the government has plans to make Jharkhand thalassemia-free by 2029.
Speaking in the assembly, he also defended the demand for grants for the health, food supply, and consumer affairs departments in the 2026-27 budget, arguing that it was necessary to strengthen healthcare services in the state.
“While the state had only nine medical colleges in the past 25 years, the government is now working to establish eight new medical colleges within a year,” Ansari said.
In the first phase, the foundation stones for medical colleges in Jamtara, Giridih, Dhanbad, and Khunti will be laid, while in the second phase, medical colleges will also be established in Godda, Sahibganj, and Saraikela, he said.
The minister announced that a medical university will be established in Brambe, Ranchi, to address the shortage of doctors and improve medical education.
“Additionally, plans are underway to build the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS-2) in Itki, Ranchi, which aims to become one of Asia's largest hospitals. In the first phase, it will have 1,400 beds, which will be expanded to 2,600 beds in the second phase,” he further announced.
The health minister also stated that plans are in place to establish a Medico City in the state, which will cost approximately Rs 3,871 crore.
The Medico City project will include 12 super-specialty hospitals, medical colleges, and research centers to provide advanced, affordable healthcare and reduce the need for travel outside the state.
“This will reduce the need for patients to travel to other states for better treatment,” Ansari said.
He stated that the government aims to make Jharkhand thalassemia-free by 2029.
“To achieve this, bone marrow transplant facilities will be established in several hospitals, and there are plans to install CT scan machines in all medical colleges. Cath labs will also be installed in government medical colleges in Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, and at Ranchi Sadar Hospital,” the minister said.
The minister informed the House that work is also underway to provide MRI and CT scan facilities in all medical colleges and Sadar hospitals in the state. Furthermore, 25 high-tech trauma centers will be established across the state, staffed by specialist doctors.
The Congress leader announced that all pregnant women in the state will receive free ultrasound services in government hospitals.
“In the first phase, 750 Abua medicine stores will be opened in rural areas, providing affordable medicines and health information,” said Ansari.
He also said that 237 new high-tech ambulances equipped with location tracking systems will be purchased in the state, and call centers for these ambulances will be set up in Dumka and Jamtara.
To further strengthen healthcare services, 7,500 ANMs (auxiliary nurse midwifery) and GNMs (general nursing and midwifery) will also be recruited soon, the minister stressed.
Earlier, JLKM party MLA Jairam Mahato expressed concern over the shortage of doctors, nurses, and sub-health centers in the state, as well as the high cost of medical check-ups at private centers. He also demanded an increase in the minimum support price for paddy procurement from farmers in the state.
The House passed by voice vote the demand for grants for the health and food supply departments.