Patna: Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) has increased the bed capacity of its Medicine Department by 45 beds in response to a growing number of patients requiring emergency and inpatient care.
The additional beds were inaugurated on Thursday in the presence of Health Department Secretary Kumar Ravi, Bihar Medical Services and Infrastructure Corporation Limited (BMSICL) Managing Director Subrata Sen and PMCH Superintendent Dr Rajeev Kumar Singh.
The Medicine Emergency unit earlier had 60 beds, which has now increased to 105 beds. An indoor ward of the Medicine Department has also been made operational in the same facility, bringing the emergency and inpatient services of the department together at one location.
The new ward has been established on the second floor of Block-II.
More than 150 critically ill patients arrive daily
The Medicine Department is among the hospital’s busiest units, receiving a large number of patients suffering from fever, dengue, malaria, typhoid, pneumonia, respiratory illnesses and other serious infections.
More than 150 critically ill patients reportedly arrive at the department every day. With the earlier shortage of beds, accommodating patients for admission was often difficult. In some cases, patients had to remain in the emergency unit on stretchers or other temporary arrangements while awaiting beds.
The increase in capacity is expected to provide additional space for patients requiring admission and reduce pressure on the emergency area.
Bed capacity may rise to 200
PMCH Superintendent Dr Rajeev Kumar Singh said the hospital plans to increase the bed capacity of the Medicine Department and related services to around 200 beds once the fourth building becomes available.
Meanwhile, the hospital has set a target of making its super-speciality hospital fully operational by November 20.
Health Department Secretary Kumar Ravi directed the construction agency to complete the remaining work within the stipulated timeline.
According to Dr Singh, the major construction work has already been completed. The remaining work includes obtaining the electricity connection, installing air-conditioning systems and completing some finishing work. These activities are being undertaken on priority, he said.
