Bihar Tightens Hospital Referral Rules to Ensure Better Treatment Closer to Home

Brief By Newsbrief / 9:19 AM on 12 Jul 2026

Bihar’s Health Department has introduced comprehensive guidelines to prevent unnecessary patient referrals and make government healthcare more transparent, accountable and patient-centred. Doctors can now refer patients to higher medical institutions only when the required treatment is unavailable locally, with every referral requiring documented medical justification.

Under the new system, the BHAVYA portal will digitally record each patient’s registration, diagnosis, tests, medicines, admission, referral and treatment journey. Admitted patients will also receive ABHA IDs and electronic health records.

District hospitals have been directed to fully activate ICUs and 24×7 emergency services within seven days. Seriously ill patients must be medically stabilised before referral and transported safely through government ambulances.

District-level committees headed by district magistrates will regularly review referral cases, while state-level monitoring will ensure compliance, aiming to strengthen local treatment and reduce pressure on larger hospitals.