Bihar health Minister Mangal Pandey launched the second phase of technical support programme by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and CARE India recently.

Augmenting the sustained efforts to achieve key health and nutrition outcomes, the state government had signed a memorandum of cooperation with BMGF in 2010. Accordingly, a technical support unit (TSU) was established in the state in 2014. In the first phase of the TSU, it worked closely with the health department and integrated child development services (ICDS) on maternal and child health, family planning and nutrition intervention.

The minister stated that despite some positive changes in healthcare scenario in the state, there were many areas that would further be looked into in the second phase of TSU programme. He also stressed on the use of technology to bring efficiency in the health delivery system and connect healthcare workers such as ASHA workers to these technologies.

The human resource of healthcare providers in the state needs to be developed. A system is required to train hospital management. Hospital managers have to be guided to maintain standard as required and good public relations with the people who visit the hospital. Supply chain system of medicines and medical equipment also needs to be monitored.