Patna: Patients at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) are set to benefit from new laser technology, with authorities planning to replace ageing machines that have repeatedly disrupted treatment across key departments.
The move will see modern laser equipment installed in the ophthalmology, dermatology and plastic surgery units, replacing devices more than a decade old that have been prone to frequent malfunction, according to hospital officials.
Administrators said persistent technical faults had slowed procedures and caused inconvenience for patients, prompting the hospital superintendent, Dr Rajiv Kumar Singh, to raise the issue with the state health department. Following this, procurement has been assigned to the Bihar Medical Services and Infrastructure Corporation Limited (BMSICL) under the direction of the health secretary.
Work on the procurement process has begun, and the new machines are expected to be installed within six months.
Doctors say the upgraded technology could significantly improve treatment outcomes. In ophthalmology, it is expected to enable more precise management of retinal and other complex eye conditions. Dermatology services may expand to include advanced procedures for pigmentation and other skin disorders, while plastic surgery units could carry out more effective treatments for burn injuries and scarring.
Hospital officials also expect the new equipment to ease patient congestion by speeding up procedures and reducing the need to refer critical cases to other facilities.
Experts note that modern laser systems are typically less painful and allow faster recovery times, while their improved reliability should reduce interruptions that have previously affected patient care.
