Bihar’s Health Minister, Mangal Pandey, has come under public scrutiny after photographs emerged showing him wearing a shoe cover on his head during a visit to Sadar Hospital in Begusarai. The incident, which took place on Saturday while Pandey was preparing to inspect the ICU ward, has raised significant concerns about the competence of hospital staff and the state of Bihar’s healthcare protocols.
According to reports, health workers at the hospital mistakenly placed a disposable shoe cover—intended for footwear—on the minister’s head instead of a surgical cap. As images of the blunder spread rapidly across social media, it sparked ridicule and criticism from both the public and political opposition. One user on X (formerly Twitter) sarcastically remarked, “This is Mangal Pandey, Health Minister of Bihar. The health of Bihar rests on his shoulders, yet he cannot tell the difference between a shoe cover and a surgical head cover.” Another post mocked the incident, stating, “The Health Minister mistook a shoe cover for a surgical cap—an apt metaphor for the state of healthcare in Bihar.”
The situation worsened as Sports Minister Surendra Mehta and District Magistrate Tushar Singla, who were accompanying Pandey during the visit, were observed not wearing any safety gear while inspecting the hospital facilities. This drew further backlash from the public, who questioned the lack of adherence to basic safety protocols.
The opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) seized the opportunity to criticize the minister and the state government. RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari condemned the incident as an “embarrassment” for the state administration, suggesting it symbolized broader systemic failures within Bihar’s healthcare system. Tiwari argued that if a health minister is treated with such negligence, ordinary citizens must endure far worse conditions.
In response to the criticism, the Janata Dal (United) defended the minister and hospital staff, calling the incident a “human error.” JDU spokesperson Arvind Nishad criticized the opposition for politicizing the mishap, claiming the state’s healthcare system has improved significantly under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership. He added that during RJD’s tenure, hospitals were often in poor condition, sometimes occupied by stray animals.
BJP spokesperson Neeraj Kumar also defended Pandey, arguing that similar materials are often used for both shoe covers and surgical caps, making the confusion understandable. Kumar emphasized that Pandey’s focus during the visit was on the hospital’s efforts to improve platelet treatments to aid dengue patients. The spokesperson highlighted that the minister’s visit was part of a broader initiative to enhance healthcare services in Begusarai.
The incident has sparked debate over healthcare protocols in Bihar, with critics and defenders continuing to clash over the implications of the minister’s gaffe.
(Input From Various Sources)
(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)