Patna: To handle the festive rush during Diwali and Chhath, govt hospitals across Bihar will provide 24×7 emergency services, while doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers have been asked to remain on duty between Nov 6 and 17. The health department has directed all medical institutions to ensure adequate manpower, medicines, ambulances and critical care facilities.According to a health department statement issued on Thursday, leave for healthcare workers has been suspended during the period, except in emergencies with prior approval.All govt medical colleges and hospitals, district and sub-divisional hospitals, community health centres and primary health centres have been directed to keep emergency services operational round the clock. Hospitals have also been asked to maintain adequate stocks of essential medicines, surgical supplies, IV fluids and oxygen.Special arrangements, including burn beds and critical care units, will be put in place to treat firecracker-related injuries, burns and respiratory ailments. Administrations have been instructed to ensure staff attendance as per duty rosters and display schedules prominently.Health department officials said medical camps will be set up at major and sensitive Chhath ghats across the state, with doctors and paramedical staff deployed in shifts round the clock. Civil surgeons have been asked to coordinate with local administrations for the arrangements.All 102 and other ambulance services will remain on high alert. Ambulances equipped with life-saving equipment and first-aid kits will be stationed at crowded locations and major ghats for rapid response and patient evacuation.Meanwhile, the food safety wing has been directed to intensify inspections of sweet shops and manufacturing units to check adulteration in sweets, khoya, chhena, ghee and edible oils ahead of the festivals. Violators will face action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.Hospitals have also been asked to strengthen fire safety measures. The use of diyas, candles and firecrackers near oxygen plants, cylinder storage areas and hospital premises has been prohibited. Districts will operate 24-hour health control rooms, while the state helpline 104 will remain functional throughout the festive season.