Patna (PTI): Bihar government would create 10,000 more beds in district hospitals across the state, state Health Minister Nand Kishore Yadav said on Tuesday.

He said the number of beds in the district hospitals having 100 beds would be increased to 500.

In nine districts including Vaishali, Samastipur, Sitamarhi and Purnia, the number of beds would be 500, whereas in other 28 district hospitals, the strength would be 300, Mr. Yadav said. These would also include hospitals in Bhojpur, Jehanabad, Katihar, Khagaria, Kishanganj and Sheikhpura.

The health department was preparing a detailed project report, the minister said.

Tenders would be floated at the earliest and efforts would be made to start work this year, Mr. Yadav said.

According to him, the districts having medical colleges would get only 100 beds in the Sadar hospitals. "Our objectives is to accommodate a maximum number of patients in hospitals and also ease pressure on medical college and hospitals," Mr. Yadav said.

He said the department was in the process of planning to meet the financial and manpower needed for the project.

"We have already requested Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) to recruit 2,132 doctors on a regular basis and expect to get the list by July," Mr. Yadav said.