Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Distributes Appointment Letters to 4,954 New ANMs
In a significant move to bolster the state's healthcare infrastructure, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday presided over a ceremony in Patna where he handed over appointment letters to 4,954 newly-appointed Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs). The event marked a major step in addressing staff shortages and enhancing maternal and child healthcare services across Bihar.
Symbolic Handover and Official Directives
During the function, CM Nitish Kumar symbolically presented appointment letters to three ANMs—Vineeta Kumari, Swati Kumari, and Raushni Kumari—as representatives of the larger group. In his address, he congratulated all the newly-appointed ANMs and expressed confidence that they would perform their duties with honesty, commitment, and dedication. He emphasized that their services would play a crucial role in strengthening the healthcare system and benefiting people throughout the state.
According to an official statement, all selected ANMs have been instructed to report to the office of their respective district civil surgeons by April 20. The appointments were made by the State Health Society for deployment in government hospitals and health centres across Bihar.
Addressing Healthcare Gaps in Rural Areas
The large-scale recruitment drive is part of a broader initiative to reinforce healthcare services, particularly in rural and remote areas where access to medical support remains limited. Officials confirmed that the appointments have been carried out under the National Health Mission, highlighting the government's focus on improving public health infrastructure.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event, State Health Minister Mangal Pandey underscored the importance of this recruitment. He stated that the appointment of 4,954 ANMs is essential to strengthen the functioning of health sub-centres across Bihar. Pandey noted that the state currently has 14,600 health sub-centres and Ayushman Arogya Kendras, spread across villages and panchayats, reflecting the government's commitment to enhancing healthcare access in rural regions.
Expanding Public Health Workforce
Minister Pandey further revealed that the health department alone has recruited 20,000 personnel over the past year, underscoring the government's continued efforts to expand and reinforce the public health system. This recruitment drive is aimed at mitigating staff shortages and ensuring better healthcare delivery, especially for maternal and child health services.
Dignitaries Present at the Ceremony
The event was attended by several high-profile dignitaries, including:
- Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha
- Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary
- Principal Secretary to the CM Deepak Kumar
- Secretary of the Health Department Lokesh Kumar Singh
- Secretary to the CM Chandrashekhar Singh
- Managing Director of Bihar Health Services and Infrastructure Corporation Limited Amit Kumar Pandey
- DM Thiyagrajan SM
- SSP Kartikey K Sharma
Other senior officials and the newly-appointed ANMs were also present at the ceremony, marking a collective effort to advance Bihar's healthcare goals.
