Patna: The Bihar government is taking steps to improve children’s health and quality of life through a special surgery campaign for children affected by congenital conditions such as cleft lip, cleft palate and tongue-tie. Under the initiative, a total of 98 children had undergone successful surgeries at various hospitals across the state as of October 15, 2026.
The campaign, being implemented by the Bihar Health Department, aims to ensure timely and free treatment for children in need. The initiative is helping affected children access appropriate medical care while providing relief to their families from the financial burden of treatment.
Free and Timely Treatment for Every Child: Health Minister Nishant
Bihar Health Minister Nishant said the department’s priority is to ensure that every child affected by congenital conditions receives timely, quality and free medical treatment.
He noted that conditions such as cleft lip and cleft palate can create several challenges for children and their families. The special surgery campaign is an important step towards improving children’s lives and ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent families from accessing necessary treatment.
The minister reiterated that the government’s objective is to ensure that no child in need is deprived of medical care.
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Special Surgery Campaign Running Across 12 Medical Institutions
The special surgery campaign is being conducted from October 2 to November 14, 2026, across 12 major medical institutions in Bihar. The initiative was launched on October 2 at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH).
According to the Health Department, 98 children had successfully undergone surgery by October 15. Prashant Charitable in Muzaffarpur recorded the highest number of procedures, with 26 children receiving surgery.
The hospital-wise details of the surgeries completed so far are as follows:
- Prashant Charitable, Muzaffarpur: 26 children
- Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), Patna: 17 children
- Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital (JLNMCH), Bhagalpur: 11 children
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Patna: 11 children
- Mediversal, Patna: 8 children
- Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH), Muzaffarpur: 7 children
- Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College and Hospital (ANMMCH), Gaya: 7 children
- Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH), Patna: 5 children
- Kurji Holy Family Hospital, Patna: 4 children
- Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Darbhanga: 2 children
These figures account for 98 surgeries across the 10 institutions named in the department’s information.
Five-Year Agreement Between Bihar Health Society and Smile Train India
The initiative is being supported by an agreement signed between the State Health Society, Bihar, and Smile Train India on August 25, 2026. The five-year agreement aims to facilitate free treatment for children affected by cleft lip and cleft palate.
Under the programme, teams associated with the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) identify children who require treatment and refer them to designated hospitals for further medical care. Through this coordinated approach, the state government aims to improve access to specialised surgical services, reduce the financial burden on families and help children lead healthier lives.
Campaign to Continue Until November 14
The special surgery campaign will continue until November 14, 2026, giving more children an opportunity to receive free treatment. With the involvement of medical institutions and RBSK teams, the Health Department is working to identify eligible children and connect them with appropriate healthcare facilities.
The initiative reflects Bihar’s continued efforts to strengthen child healthcare services and ensure that children affected by congenital conditions receive timely medical attention and the opportunity for a healthier future.
Free Surgery Campaign Aims to Improve Children’s Health and Quality of Life
Cleft lip and cleft palate are congenital conditions that can affect a child’s feeding, speech and overall development. Tongue-tie is another condition that may affect tongue movement and, in some cases, feeding or speech.
Timely assessment and appropriate treatment can help address these difficulties and improve children’s quality of life. By conducting surgeries through designated medical institutions, Bihar’s campaign seeks to make specialised treatment more accessible to families across the state.
The initiative also aims to provide financial relief to families who might otherwise face difficulties accessing specialised surgical care.
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