Patna: The Bihar Health Department has made special arrangements to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services during Diwali and Chhath Puja celebrations across the state. The department has directed all government medical colleges and hospitals, district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, community health centres (CHCs), primary health centres (PHCs) and other government healthcare institutions to remain on high alert.
The arrangements aim to provide timely medical assistance to people and ensure effective responses to emergencies during the festive period.
Under the directions, all government hospitals will maintain 24-hour emergency medical services. Medical camps, ambulances, essential medicines and trained healthcare personnel will also be deployed at major and sensitive Chhath ghats.
Health Minister Nishant has instructed departmental officials and healthcare authorities to remain particularly vigilant and ensure that medical services continue without interruption throughout the festive period.
Bihar Health Department Bans Leave for Healthcare Workers from November 6 to 17
To ensure the uninterrupted availability of medical services during Diwali and Chhath Puja, the Health Department has directed that leave for all doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and other healthcare workers remain restricted from November 6 to November 17, 2026.
During this period, leave will not be granted under normal circumstances. However, in unavoidable situations, leave may be approved only with prior permission from the competent authority.
The department has also made attendance according to duty rosters mandatory for doctors and healthcare personnel across all hospitals.
Additionally, every healthcare institution has been instructed to display duty rosters in emergency rooms and on information boards so that patients and their families can easily access information about available medical staff.
Government Hospitals to Maintain 24-Hour Emergency Medical Services
The Health Department has directed all government hospitals to ensure the availability of emergency medical services throughout the day and night.
Hospitals must maintain adequate stocks of essential medicines, bandages, surgical supplies, intravenous (IV) fluids and oxygen to handle emergency cases.
Special arrangements will also be made to treat patients suffering from firecracker-related burns, injuries, breathing difficulties and other medical emergencies.
The department has instructed hospitals to ensure the availability of:
- Special burn wards and adequate beds for burn patients.
- Ventilators and critical care beds.
- Essential medicines and emergency medical supplies.
- Adequate oxygen facilities.
- Surgical materials, bandages and IV fluids.
These arrangements are intended to strengthen hospitals’ preparedness to handle medical emergencies during the festive celebrations.
Medical Camps and Ambulance Services at Major Chhath Ghats
The Bihar government will establish medical camps at all major and sensitive Chhath ghats to provide immediate medical assistance to devotees.
Civil Surgeons have been directed to coordinate with local administrations to ensure the proper functioning of these medical facilities.
Doctors and paramedical personnel will be deployed at the camps in shifts to ensure round-the-clock medical assistance. The camps will also maintain adequate stocks of essential medicines.
In addition, all 102 ambulance services and other ambulance facilities across the state will remain on high alert.
Special Monitoring of Food Quality and Hygiene During Festivals
The Health Department has also directed the Food Safety Department to conduct special inspection drives to prevent food adulteration during the festive season.
Food safety officials will regularly inspect shops and manufacturing units dealing in sweets, khoya, chhena, ghee, edible oils and other food products.
The objective is to prevent the sale of adulterated and counterfeit food items and ensure that people have access to safe food during Diwali and Chhath Puja.
Any violation involving the sale of adulterated or fake food products will invite action under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Hospitals Directed to Strengthen Fire Safety Arrangements
Considering the possibility of fire-related incidents during Diwali, the department has instructed hospitals to strengthen their fire safety arrangements.
Hospital authorities have been asked to inspect fire extinguishers and ensure that all firefighting equipment is functional. Fire alarms and emergency evacuation routes must also be checked to ensure preparedness for any emergency.
The department has further prohibited the use of diyas, candles and firecrackers near oxygen plants, oxygen cylinder storage facilities and within the surrounding hospital premises.
These measures are intended to minimise fire hazards and protect patients, healthcare workers and hospital infrastructure.
District Health Control Rooms to Operate 24 Hours
To monitor healthcare arrangements and ensure a prompt response to emergencies, all districts have been directed to establish round-the-clock health control rooms at Civil Surgeon offices.
Each district will appoint a nodal officer to oversee the functioning of the control room. The helpline numbers will also be widely publicised to help people access medical assistance when required.
At the state level, the Bihar State Health Society’s control room will remain operational through helpline number 104.
All districts will submit daily reports on the status of healthcare services to the State Health Society. These reports will help monitor the availability of medical facilities, emergency preparedness and any unforeseen incidents during the festive period.
Bihar Government Directs Strict Compliance with Festival Health Guidelines
The Health Department has instructed all concerned officials and healthcare institutions to strictly implement the directions issued for Diwali and Chhath Puja 2026.
The arrangements cover emergency medical services, healthcare staff availability, ambulance deployment, medical camps at Chhath ghats, food safety inspections, fire safety and round-the-clock monitoring through district and state-level control rooms.
Through these measures, the Bihar government aims to ensure that devotees and residents receive timely medical assistance and that healthcare services remain uninterrupted throughout the festive celebrations.
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