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MBBS Doctors Authorized to Perform Ultrasounds: To strengthen healthcare services in Bihar, the state government has taken a major decision. Now, MBBS doctors will also be able to perform ultrasounds after undergoing a specialized six-month training program. The Health Department has issued a letter to all medical colleges and district health departments across the state regarding this matter. It is anticipated that this decision will provide significant relief to patients—particularly in smaller cities and rural areas—where there has been a persistent shortage of radiologists for a long time.

**Specialized Training to Span 300 Hours**
According to the Health Department's new directives, MBBS doctors must complete 300 hours of training to qualify for performing ultrasounds. This training will be conducted at all medical colleges within the state. Until now, under the regulations established in 2018, MBBS doctors were not permitted to perform ultrasounds; however, following this new decision, the relevant rules have been amended.
The government has also allocated specific training slots across various medical colleges. The highest number of slots—36—have been assigned to IGIMS, while training will be provided for 4 slots at the Shri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) in Muzaffarpur. Prof. Kumari Vibha, Principal of SKMCH, stated that the department's directives are currently being reviewed.

**Training to be Conducted Under the Supervision of Radiologists and Gynecologists**

The Health Department has clarified that this training will be conducted under the direct supervision of radiologists and gynecologists. To facilitate this, the department has constituted a special committee chaired by the Director-in-Chief. This committee comprises several senior officials, including representatives from the Department of Health Education, the Vice-Chancellor of the Bihar University of Health Sciences, and experts from the Departments of Radiology and Gynecology.

The department has further announced that doctors who previously failed the Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) examination on three occasions will also be eligible to participate in this six-month training program. Upon successful completion of the training, the doctors will be awarded a certificate.

**Renewal of Several Ultrasound Centers Put on Hold**
Meanwhile, before the issuance of the government's new directives, the renewal process for the ultrasound centers operated by several MBBS doctors had been suspended. The District Health Department has sought guidance from the headquarters regarding this matter. Officials state that a decision regarding the renewal of these centers will be taken only after clear directives are received. The Health Department had also issued notices to several ultrasound centers for failing to submit their monthly reports. The department is now conducting inspections of such centers.

**Employed in Patna, Operating Centers in Muzaffarpur**
The investigation has also revealed that many doctors hold government jobs in Patna but are operating ultrasound centers in Muzaffarpur. The Health Department has taken a strict stance regarding such cases. According to reports, there are approximately a dozen doctors who are running ultrasound centers in Muzaffarpur while simultaneously working in other districts. The department has currently put a hold on the renewal of these centers. Officials state that further action will be initiated once guidelines are received from the headquarters.

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