Patna: A 55-year-old patient died after being left unattended for hours outside the RSB ward at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), exposing serious lapses in patient care at the state’s largest hospital.
The incident occurred near the parking area behind the ward, where two unclaimed patients had been lying since around 9 am. One patient died, while the other, a 25-year-old, was later admitted to the emergency ward in critical condition. The deceased patient had reportedly been receiving treatment but left the ward on his own.
Eyewitnesses raised the alarm, and the police and hospital administration intervened. PMCH Superintendent Dr IS Thakur confirmed that immediate action was taken, but noted that the hospital currently has no separate abandoned patient ward. Renovation work on the old building, which previously housed the abandoned and prisoner ward, has left no alternative facilities, and such patients are now treated in general wards.
Visitors and hospital staff pointed to systemic negligence, noting that patients often leave wards during treatment without the administration’s knowledge. Critics also highlighted broader concerns about health governance in Bihar, saying that improving infrastructure alone is not sufficient without effective patient care.
