Best Practices
1. Title of the Practice: "Accessible and Affordable Healthcare for All: A Rural Health Model at GNSU"
Objectives of the Practice:
The primary objective of this best practice is to provide quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare services to the underserved population of rural Bihar through the effective implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana at Narayan Medical College and Hospital (NMCH), GNSU. It aims to foster social responsibility among students and faculty while supporting the health needs of the local community. The underlying principle is to bridge the gap between academic institutions and community well-being by aligning institutional capabilities with national development goals.
The Context:
Narayan Medical College and Hospital, GNSU is situated in a remote rural region of Bihar, where access to quality and affordable healthcare remains a significant concern. The local population primarily depends on under-resourced government primary health centres and lacks access to specialized or tertiary medical services. Recognizing this healthcare gap, the university sought to extend advanced medical care to economically weaker sections without financial hardship. The Ayushman Bharat Yojana provided a strategic opportunity to address this need. However, implementing a large-scale, government-funded healthcare scheme in a private medical institution like Narayan Medical College and Hospital posed multiple challenges ranging from documentation compliance and capacity building to beneficiary awareness and service scalability. NMCH embraced this challenge, working diligently to align the scheme’s objectives with its mission to serve the underserved, while ensuring high standards of care, institutional accountability, and equitable access for the rural population.
The Practice:
Narayan Medical College and Hospital (NMCH), has successfully implemented the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, a flagship initiative of the Government of India aimed at providing free and cashless healthcare services to economically weaker sections of society. Located in the rural region of Jamuhar, Rohtas (Bihar), NMCH serves as a beacon of accessible, quality healthcare for the underserved populations of Sasaram and its adjoining areas.
The hospital is fully empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana scheme and provides services in more than 25 specialties including surgery, general medicine, paediatrics, orthopaedics, obstetrics and gynaecology, and intensive care. Facilities such as NABL accredited diagnostic laboratories, modular operation theatres, ICUs, and 24x7 trauma and emergency services, which are otherwise distant dreams for rural citizens, are made available free of cost here.
As part of clinical training, MBBS students, interns, and students from allied health sciences actively participate in outreach programs, community health surveys, and patient care activities under supervision. These activities are integrated into their curriculum, providing them real-time exposure to the challenges of rural healthcare while reinforcing the values of empathy, service, and professional ethics. Students gain experience in conducting health check-ups, assisting in awareness drives, and managing health camps in underserved villages, thereby forming a vital link between the institution and the community. This experiential learning supports their professional development and in-stills a sense of social responsibility.
The uniqueness of this initiative lies in its community-centric approach and the academic integration of healthcare services. As part of its outreach, NMCH conducts regular awareness campaigns, health education drives, and diagnostic camps in remote villages to identify beneficiaries, educate them about the health and hygiene, and facilitate their registration. These camps also provide basic health screening services, vaccinations, and consultations, helping improve community health outcomes. This initiative not only enhances the health service delivery in a remote region but also aligns with GNSU’s mission of inclusive development, thereby making it a unique and replicable model of community-based institutional outreach in Indian higher education.
Evidence of Success:
The implementation of Ayushman Bharat Scheme at Narayan Medical College and Hospital (NMCH), GNSU, has yielded remarkable outcomes. Over the past three years, NMCH has emerged as one of the top-performing private medical colleges and hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Bihar. This distinction has been formally recognized by the Ministry of Health, Government of India, which has consistently awarded and appreciated NMCH for its exemplary contribution in expanding healthcare access in underserved regions.
Each year, thousands of economically weaker patients from Rohtas and adjoining districts have availed free, cashless treatment under the scheme at NMCH. The increase in patient footfall is a direct reflection of community trust in the institution’s services. Key areas of success include enhanced maternal and child health services, surgical interventions, emergency care, and chronic illness management.
In addition, the practice has provided practical exposure to medical and paramedical students, who engage in patient care and community outreach. The seamless integration of the Ayushman Bharat scheme digital claim system, improved hospital infrastructure, and dedicated service delivery teams have contributed to the consistent operational efficiency of the program.
The success of this initiative has enhanced GNSU’s social impact, institutional credibility, and visibility as a healthcare and educational leader in the region.
Problems Encountered and Resources Required:
The implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme at NMCH, GNSU, faced several challenges during its initial phase. One of the primary issues was the lack of awareness and understanding among the rural population about the scheme’s benefits and enrollment process, which affected early adoption.
Additionally, procedural delays in patient verification and claim settlement due to technical glitches in the government’s digital platforms occasionally disrupted smooth service delivery. Managing high patient footfall under the scheme also required the recruitment and continuous training of medical, administrative, and IT staff. To ensure compliance with the scheme’s norms, significant investment was needed in upgrading ICT infrastructure, including high-speed internet, biometric devices, and claim processing software. Resources were also deployed for awareness campaigns through village outreach programs, multilingual information brochures, and local community engagement initiatives. Despite these constraints, the university's proactive planning and institutional support enabled the successful execution of the scheme.
Conclusion:
The successful implementation of Ayushman Bharat at Narayan Medical College and Hospital (NMCH), under GNSU, offers a replicable model for other institutions especially those situated in rural or underserved regions. Institutions with medical or healthcare facilities can adopt a similar approach by aligning their services with national healthcare missions. Key enablers include establishing strong coordination with state and central health authorities, building a dedicated administrative team for scheme execution, and developing awareness campaigns in local languages to ensure effective community outreach. Integrating such initiatives within academic curricula also enhances students’ clinical exposure and social sensitivity. Institutions should prioritize digital health records, continuous training for staff, and active monitoring systems for operational efficiency. By combining academic resources with public welfare, universities can significantly enhance their community engagement profile, meet social responsibility mandates, and contribute meaningfully to the national healthcare agenda all while reinforcing institutional values of service, equity, and inclusivity.
2. Title of the Practice: Community Engagement and Social Responsibility
Objectives of the Practice
The primary objective of this best practice is to integrate social responsibility into the core mission of GNSU by actively engaging with the underserved communities of Sasaram and surrounding rural areas.
The intended outcomes include improving healthcare, enhancing literacy, promoting gender equity in education, raising environmental awareness, and facilitating skill-based employability. The practice is grounded in the principles of inclusivity, equity, and empowerment, with a strong focus on bridging the socio-economic divide through education, health, and sustainable development initiatives.
The Context
GNSU is located in the rural expanse of Sasaram a region characterized by limited access to quality education, basic healthcare, and formal employment opportunities. The surrounding villages are largely inhabited by economically and socially marginalized populations, many of whom are first-generation learners. This context presents deep-rooted challenges—low literacy rates, poor health awareness, lack of digital exposure, and prevailing gender disparities in education.
Establishing impactful community outreach programs in such an environment required not only addressing logistical and infrastructural constraints but also navigating cultural sensitivities and social barriers. Special efforts were needed to overcome resistance toward girls’ education, health interventions, and vocational training. GNSU identified these challenges early and responded with an inclusive, participatory approach that blended academic engagement with grassroots empowerment. The university’s strategic commitment to community development reflects its broader vision of acting as a catalyst for regional upliftment and social transformation through integrated educational and outreach initiatives.
The Practice
The university has consistently championed the cause of community engagement and inclusive development, particularly in the underserved rural region of Jamuhar, Bihar. In alignment with its vision of holistic education and social transformation, the university has initiated a series of structured outreach activities under the broad framework of institutional social responsibility. These practices are not merely peripheral efforts but are deeply embedded in the academic and cultural fabric of the university.
One of the basis of this practice is the organization of regular health camps, facilitated through the university’s medical and paramedical colleges. These camps provide diagnostic services, basic treatment, and health awareness programs to populations in surrounding villages that often lack access to even primary healthcare. Medical and nursing students gain hands-on experience while delivering compassionate care under faculty supervision, bridging the healthcare gap while also enriching their clinical skills.
In addition, GNSU places strong emphasis on educational outreach. Faculty and students from various departments conduct literacy drives and tutorial sessions for underprivileged school children in the neighbouring rural areas. These programs aim to foster foundational learning, digital literacy, and career awareness, thereby elevating the educational aspirations and capabilities of the local youth.
Recognizing the agrarian context of the region, the university’s Faculty of Agriculture conducts workshops and field demonstrations on sustainable farming techniques, organic cultivation, and efficient irrigation practices. These initiatives aim to modernize traditional agriculture while enhancing productivity and environmental sustainability.
GNSU’s legal aid cell provides free legal counselling and conducts legal awareness camps, educating villagers about their rights and legal processes. This practice fosters a sense of empowerment and facilitates access to justice in remote communities.
Furthermore, the university’s commitment to gender equity and empowerment is demonstrated through targeted programs encouraging girls' enrollment in professional courses, supported by mentoring and scholarships.
The university also harnesses the potential of NCC and NSS units to inculcate discipline, civic responsibility, and leadership among students. Activities such as blood donation drives, Swachh Bharat campaigns, and environmental awareness rallies are routinely organized, integrating service learning into student life.
Evidence of Success
The community-focused initiatives undertaken by GNSU have led to transformative improvements in the socio-economic and educational landscape of the region. The university’s regular health camps have enhanced access to medical care, resulting in improved health indicators, especially marginalized.
Simultaneously, sustained awareness campaigns under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan have promoted hygiene practices and sanitation, significantly improving public health and environmental cleanliness in surrounding villages.
Educational outreach efforts have resulted in a notable rise in the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), with increased participation of girls in higher education an encouraging shift in a traditionally patriarchal rural setting. Legal literacy camps and digital awareness drives have empowered residents to adopt digital payment systems and access government welfare schemes. Voter awareness programs have led to a perceptible rise in voter turnout during local elections, reflecting enhanced civic engagement.
The university’s agricultural interventions have introduced the use of organic manure, which has improved soil fertility and crop productivity, contributing to economic upliftment. NSS-led community initiatives and NCC-led leadership development programs have nurtured a spirit of service, discipline and national pride among students. These multidimensional outcomes across education, health, environment, agriculture, and civic life serve as strong evidence of GNSU’s impactful and sustainable community engagement model.
