Bihar Tops India in Free Medicine Distribution for 11 Straight Months

According to the latest data from the central government's Drugs and Vaccine Distribution Management System (DVDMS) portal, the state of Bihar has secured the top position in India for the free distribution of medicines in government hospitals for the past 11 consecutive months as of August 2025.

Bihar's health minister, Mangal Pandey, attributed this achievement to the state government's commitment to improving public health and delivering quality healthcare services. He stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, new hospitals are being constructed, and health workers are continuously being appointed to make health services more accessible and timely for the people.

Highlighting the improvements in maternal and child health indicators, Pandey revealed that the maternal mortality rate in Bihar has decreased from 365 in 2005 to 91 currently. The infant mortality rate has also dropped to 27, on par with the national average, while the mortality rate of children under five has decreased to 29, better than the national average. The neonatal mortality rate (0-28 days) now stands at 19, again on par with the national average.

Furthermore, the state has promoted institutional deliveries, leading to a reduction in home births. Bihar's vaccination coverage has also reached 95% based on Health Management Information System (HMIS) data. Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the state has achieved the target of generating four crore Ayushman cards and currently holds the third position in the country in this regard.