Modi lays foundation Stone for AIIMS Darbhanga, strengthening healthcare Infrastructure in Bihar
In a significant move to enhance healthcare infrastructure in Bihar, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone for the AIIMS Darbhanga, the second All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the state after AIIMS Patna. The project is expected to boost healthcare services in Bihar, especially for residents of the Mithila, Koshi, and Tirhut regions, and will also benefit people from neighboring areas in West Bengal and Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Furthermore, patients from Nepal will be able to access healthcare at the new facility, expanding its reach beyond Indian borders.
Addressing the gathering at the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the government’s commitment to healthcare is reflected in a five-fold approach  aimed at improving the nation’s healthcare system. This includes preventive health, accurate disease diagnosis, affordable healthcare, expanding access to smaller towns, and leveraging technology to improve service delivery. He pointed out that this approach is integral to ensuring that healthcare becomes affordable and accessible to all, particularly for India’s vast poor and middle-class populations, who often bear a heavy financial burden when seeking medical treatment.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles through initiatives like Yoga, Ayurveda, and the Fit India Movement , as well as efforts to address common health issues stemming from poor diet and lifestyle choices. He cited the government’s focus on cleanliness through initiatives like   Swachh Bharat , the provision of toilets, and tap water connections, which play a crucial role in preventing the spread of diseases.
Reflecting on the progress in healthcare over the past decade, Prime Minister Modi noted that the Ayushman Bharat Scheme has been a game-changer in reducing the financial strain on poor families. With over 4 crore beneficiaries and ₹1.25 lakh crore  saved by millions of households, the scheme has helped provide free medical treatment to vulnerable sections of society. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing free treatment  to senior citizens over the age of 70, regardless of family income, and announced the upcoming distribution of the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card  for all such beneficiaries. He further praised the establishment of Jan Aushadhi Kendras , which offer affordable medicines to the public.
In his speech, Prime Minister Modi reflected on the history of India’s healthcare system, noting that for many years, the country faced a shortage of hospitals, doctors, and diagnostic centers. He emphasized that the previous lack of adequate healthcare infrastructure had hindered the nation’s progress, particularly affecting the underprivileged. However, with the government’s new focus on expanding healthcare, India is now witnessing a transformation, with new AIIMS institutions opening across the country. AIIMS Darbhanga, he said, would not only improve healthcare access in Bihar but also train a new generation of doctors who will serve the region and the entire nation. Over the past decade, the number of medical colleges has doubled, and the number of medical seats has grown significantly. The Prime Minister also announced that plans are underway to increase the number of medical seats by an additional 75,000 in the next five years.
Turning his attention to cancer care, the Prime Minister mentioned the ongoing construction of a new cancer treatment facility in Muzaffarpur, which will provide comprehensive care to cancer patients in Bihar, sparing them the burden of traveling to distant cities like Delhi or Mumbai for treatment. He also shared news of a new eye hospital being built in Bihar, inspired by the Sankara Eye Hospital in Varanasi, following a request from the Kanchi Kamakoti Shri Shankarcharya ji. This new facility is expected to improve eye care access in the region.
Shri Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Bihar, expressed his excitement about the new AIIMS in Darbhanga, calling it a major milestone for the state. He said that AIIMS Darbhanga would not only transform healthcare in Darbhanga but also drive broader socio-economic development across the region.
AIIMS Darbhanga, being built under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), will be established at a cost of ₹1,264 crore on a 187-acre site in Darbhanga. The facility will include a 750-bed super-specialty hospital, an AYUSH block, a medical college  with   125 seats , a   nursing college  with   60 seats , a   night shelter  for patients and their attendants, and residential facilities for doctors, staff, and students. Once completed, AIIMS Darbhanga will provide world-class healthcare services to the people of Bihar, including those from surrounding districts such as Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Saharsa, Purnia, Khagadia, and Katihar, as well as from neighboring regions of West Bengal and Eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Prime Minister Modi concluded by reiterating that the development of AIIMS Darbhanga is a crucial step in achieving the vision of a   Swasth Bharat, Samruddh Bharat , contributing significantly to improving health outcomes for millions in Bihar and beyond. He expressed confidence that the institution would play a vital role in India’s continued progress toward becoming a healthier and more prosperous nation.
The laying of the foundation stone for AIIMS Darbhanga comes as part of the government’s broader initiative to strengthen healthcare infrastructure across the country and ensure that quality medical care is accessible to all, irrespective of their socio-economic status or geographic location.
