Patna: In response to a persistent power crisis at Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH), authorities have taken a key administrative step to safeguard patient care by decentralising fuel procurement.
The hospital superintendent has now been granted direct authority to procure diesel, allowing generators to be activated immediately during power outages or tripping. The move is expected to ensure uninterrupted functioning of emergency services in Bihar’s largest government hospital.
Previously, despite having high-capacity generators, PMCH relied on external agencies for diesel supply. This often led to delays due to procedural bottlenecks, adversely affecting patient care and essential hospital operations.
Officials said the decision would eliminate the need for lengthy file processing and enable quicker, on-the-spot decision-making to maintain a steady fuel supply.
Rising Power Demand Strains Infrastructure
The decision comes amid a sharp rise in electricity demand following the development of PMCH’s new hospital tower under its ongoing redevelopment project. The upgraded infrastructure includes multiple elevators, operation theatres, intensive care units, central air conditioning systems and advanced medical equipment.
Experts estimate that the hospital’s generators — with a capacity of 1.5 to 1.8 megawatts — consume around 400 litres of diesel per hour when operating at full load, reflecting the scale of energy requirements.
Frequent Outages Disrupt Critical Services
Power tripping has remained a recurring issue at the hospital, raising serious concerns. In several instances, elevators in the new buildings have stalled mid-operation, causing distress to patients and attendants.
More critically, even short disruptions in electricity supply to operation theatres and ICUs pose significant risks to patient safety, particularly for those requiring continuous life support.
Faster Response, Reduced Bureaucracy
Under the new system, generators can now be started without delay as soon as the main power supply fails. Officials say this will ensure seamless functioning of essential services such as ventilators, ICUs, operation theatres and elevators.
The decentralisation of authority is also expected to allow quicker resolution of technical issues at the local level, improving overall operational efficiency.
‘Patient Safety Is Paramount’
Hospital superintendent Dr Rajiv Kumar Singh said the administrative change was necessary given the scale of the new infrastructure.
“Now, our dependence on external agencies for diesel supply will come to an end,” he said.
“While diesel consumption may be high, the safety of patients and continuity of treatment are of utmost importance. Thousands of patients visit PMCH daily, and stable power supply is directly linked to their safety.”
The move is expected to significantly reduce uncertainties in the treatment of critically ill patients while strengthening the hospital’s ability to respond to emergencies.
