Patna: Health minister Nishant Kumar on Thursday inaugurated a 12-bed intensive care unit (ICU) at the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (HBCH&RC) and a 30-bed special critical care unit at Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) in Muzaffarpur, boosting critical care facilities in north Bihar.During his visit, the minister said work was also underway on a dedicated 100-bed palliative care unit for advanced cancer patients.Nishant said HBCH&RC, a unit of the Tata Memorial Centre under the department of atomic energy, has emerged as a major cancer treatment centre in north Bihar. He said facilities ranging from diagnostics to surgery and radiation therapy are now available locally, reducing the need for patients to travel to metropolitan cities for treatment.The minister inspected hospital facilities and reviewed ongoing healthcare services. HBCH&RC director Dr Kumar Prabhash briefed him on the growing patient load and the hospital’s expansion plans.Officials said the new 12-bed ICU is equipped with advanced life-support and monitoring systems for critically ill cancer patients, while the 30-bed special critical care unit at SKMCH will strengthen emergency and intensive care services in the region.Health department officials said the two facilities would improve access to critical care, reduce waiting time for treatment and ease pressure on tertiary healthcare institutions in north Bihar.The minister reiterated the state government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and supporting the expansion of specialised medical facilities in the region.
