Patna: Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) has earmarked 20 beds, including six equipped with ventilators, for dengue patients amid the monsoon season, superintendent of the hospital Dr Rajiv Kumar Singh said on Tuesday.Singh said the hospital has intensified preventive measures through daily pesticide spraying in coordination with the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) and taken steps to prevent waterlogging on the campus. While dengue cases have been reported, none has been severe enough to require ventilator support so far, he said, adding that most patients are being managed through the outpatient department (OPD) without prolonged hospitalisation.Highlighting the scale of operations at the PMCH, he said the hospital conducts around 800 to 900 diagnostic tests daily, with most provided free of cost. Medicines are also supplied free of cost to eligible patients under existing provisions, he said.Singh acknowledged that the PMCH continues to face a shortage of beds. He said critically ill patients are prioritised for admission, while those showing signs of recovery are accommodated on trolleys until beds become available. PMCH currently has 46 trolleys, and the state govt would provide 100 more by the end of Aug to help manage patient flow.Describing the ongoing redevelopment as one of the hospital’s biggest challenges, Singh said maintaining uninterrupted healthcare services amid ongoing construction and demolition work required careful planning..To address long-term capacity constraints, PMCH is constructing two new hospital buildings with a combined capacity of 2,000 beds for various departments. According to Singh, one building is expected to be completed by Sept, while the second is likely to be ready by Dec, increasing the hospital’s capacity.Some patients lauded the facilities at the hospital. Md Saleem, 45, from Bettiah, whose son is undergoing treatment for a blood disorder at PMCH, said the facilities had helped his family continue treatment without financial hardship.“The doctors examine my son on time, and medicines as well as diagnostic tests are provided free of cost. Because of these facilities, I have been able to continue my son’s treatment here,” he said.Amit Singh, 38, from Hathidah, acknowledged the heavy rush at the hospital but appreciated the efforts of the medical staff. “The hospital remains crowded, but the doctors ensure that patients are examined on time,” he said.The superintendent said PMCH would continue to focus on expanding facilities and strengthening healthcare services. “The main aim of PMCH is to safeguard the faith of the common people and provide them with the best possible healthcare facilities,” he said.
