Members cutting across party lines on Thursday demanded in the legislative council that Jay Prabha Medanta Superspecialty Hospital in Patna provide comprehensive treatment to poor patients under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
JD(U) MLC Sanjay Singh raised a call attention motion, saying that during his visit poor patients complained they were not being treated despite holding Ayushman cards. He said the hospital was allotted land for Re 1 and should ensure healthcare for the needy.
JD(U) MLC Neeraj Kumar alleged that the Mukhyamantri Chikitsa Sahayata Kosh was not being implemented at the hospital, while RJD legislator Ajay Kumar flagged gaps in execution.
Chairperson Awadhesh Narain Singh directed the govt to ensure patients receive treatment without hurdles and said an inquiry should be conducted, if required, with a report submitted to the House.
Health minister Mangal Pandey said AB-PMJAY treatment is currently available at Medanta in two departments — radiation oncology and cardiothoracic vascular surgery. He said a hospital must meet super-speciality criteria for empanelment and the govt cannot compel a private hospital to join. Medanta was listed in Oct 2025 for these services, with 46 beneficiaries treated so far and over Rs 73 lakh paid by the govt. He added that one-fourth of the hospital’s 400 beds, expected to rise to 600, are reserved for poor patients.
Medical director of Medanta hospital, Dr Ravi Shankar Singh, said 25% of beds are reserved and treatment is being provided in empanelled departments. “If the government gives us in writing to provide treatment to Ayushman card holders on all those reserved beds, we will do that,” he said, rejecting claims that land was allotted for Re 1 as misleading.
