Bihar’s private hospital sealed for illegal surgeries without license or qualified doctors

A private hospital named Raj Hospital, located at Parihar block headquarters in Bihar’s Sitamarhi district, was sealed by the health department after it was found performing surgeries without the necessary license and qualified staff. The action was taken under the supervision of Civil Surgeon Dr. Akhilesh Kumar, following directives from District Magistrate Richa Pandey. The hospital only had permission to operate as an Outpatient Department (OPD) facility.

During the inspection, officials found four patients who had recently undergone surgical procedures admitted in a single room of the hospital. The Operation Theatre (OT) and several other rooms were sealed on the spot. The four post-operative patients were kept under observation in one room, and the remaining hospital areas will be sealed once the patients are shifted. Officials attempted to transfer the patients to the Sadar Hospital or Parihar Primary Health Centre, but the patients refused to be moved.

According to District Public Relations Officer Kamal Singh, no MBBS doctor, surgeon, anaesthetist, or trained nursing staff was present at the time of inspection. He stated that the hospital was being run by a couple with AYUSH qualifications. He confirmed, “Such operation-related services by non-qualified persons is not permitted under any guideline.” The hospital was also found to have inadequate infrastructure and manpower.

The inspection team included Civil Surgeon Dr. Akhilesh Kumar, ACMO Dr. Z. Javed, and the in-charge medical officers of Dumra and Parihar. They found the hospital functioning in violation of multiple norms, including conducting surgical procedures without proper authorisation or specialist medical personnel. Evidence of recent surgeries was recorded during the visit, based on which the sealing was ordered.

Following the raid, several operators of nearby unlicensed nursing homes and clinics reportedly shut down and left their premises locked. The administration stated that other unregistered and non-compliant private healthcare facilities in the district are also under active surveillance and will be acted upon in a phased manner.