Bihar has a population of 83 million with the highest level of people living below the poverty line (40% of the population). Bihar’s MMR rate is 371. SLIC conducted a fact finding in July 2008, at Banuchapar Sub Centre, Ahvar Majhriya Sub Centre, Peepra Pakri Sub Centre, Gonauli Sub Centre and Sadar Hospital, and the following include examples of a denial of guidelines set under the NRHM.

• Lack of iron and folic acid availability
• Lack of equipment: ie weighing machines and equipment to check blood pressure
• The blood bank at Sarad Hospital has been shut for the last 3 years, despite petitions to have it re-opened from local politicians.
• Patients reported exorbitant fees been demanded in return for medical assistance

Examples of Legal remedies sought

• Upgrading of sub centre facilities at Banuchapar, Ahvar Majhriya, Peepra Pakri, Gonauli, W. Champaran, as per the Indian Public Health Standards and NRHM Guidelines
• Ensure that facilities for collection and preservation of blood and all related facilities should be immediately given to Sadar hospital, Bettiah so that it can be adequately provide emergency obstetric care.
• Direct the respondents to declare that all health facilities provide to all persons below the poverty line all services, including ambulances, services, testing, medication, supplies, hospital stay and diet and service provider’s service free of charge.
• Implementation of a pregnancy related surveillance mechanism in every district to identify pregnancy related deaths, review the medical and non medical causes of death and remove them immediately, the review committee should be form from multi disciplinary backgrounds Bihar has a population of 83 million with the highest level of people living below the poverty line (40% of the population). Bihar’s MMR rate is 371.

SLIC conducted a fact finding in July 2008, at Banuchapar Sub Centre, Ahvar Majhriya Sub Centre, Peepra Pakri Sub Centre, Gonauli Sub Centre and Sadar Hospital, and the following include examples of a denial of guidelines set under the NRHM.

• Lack of iron and folic acid availability
• Lack of equipment: ie weighing machines and equipment to check blood pressure
• The blood bank at Sarad Hospital has been shut for the last 3 years, despite petitions to have it re-opened from local politicians.
• Patients reported exorbitant fees been demanded in return for medical assistance

Examples of Legal remedies sought

• Upgrading of sub centre facilities at Banuchapar, Ahvar Majhriya, Peepra Pakri, Gonauli, W. Champaran, as per the Indian Public Health Standards and NRHM Guidelines
• Ensure that facilities for collection and preservation of blood and all related facilities should be immediately given to Sadar hospital, Bettiah so that it can be adequately provide emergency obstetric care.
• Direct the respondents to declare that all health facilities provide to all persons below the poverty line all services, including ambulances, services, testing, medication, supplies, hospital stay and diet and service provider’s service free of charge.
• Implementation of a pregnancy related surveillance mechanism in every district to identify pregnancy related deaths, review the medical and non medical causes of death and remove them immediately, the review committee should be form from multi disciplinary backgrounds