Samastipur – Malnourished mothers and their children in the Samastipur district will soon have access to specialized healthcare closer to home as a Child and Maternity Center is set to open at Samastipur Sadar Hospital.
The centre, constructed for Rs 44 crore, aims to provide comprehensive treatment to malnourished mothers and children, eliminating the need to travel to distant facilities in Patna or Darbhanga. The formal inauguration is expected after the Model Code of Conduct is lifted, with the Chief Minister likely to officiate the opening.
The Child and Maternity Hospital, nearing completion within the Sadar Hospital premises, signifies a significant milestone in improving healthcare accessibility for economically vulnerable communities. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and an increased staff complement, including specialist doctors, the hospital is poised to cater to the critical needs of mothers and newborns.
Dr. SK Chaudhary, the Civil Surgeon, expressed optimism about the imminent operation of the hospital, highlighting the ongoing installation of medical equipment and imminent handover from the construction department to the health department. The facility is slated to accommodate 200 patients, relieving the burden on existing healthcare infrastructure and significantly reducing the mortality rate among malnourished children.
The establishment of the MCH hospital promises to alleviate financial strain on low-income families, sparing them the hefty expenses associated with private clinics. Currently, families are compelled to bear costs ranging from Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 per day for treatment, a burden that the new hospital seeks to alleviate with its comprehensive services.
Statistics from the Health Department reveal a troubling trend, with an average of 15 children succumbing to malnutrition-related complications monthly across the district. The dire need for accessible healthcare underscores the significance of the upcoming hospital in mitigating child mortality rates and ensuring timely intervention for malnourished children.
