- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Thu, 01 May 2025 06:03 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's ambitious plan to transform PMCH (Patna Medical College and Hospital) into the world’s second-largest and most modern hospital is now closer to fruition. The construction of two out of four towers in the first phase has been completed, and medical equipment has been largely installed. The inauguration ceremony will take place at 4 PM on May 3, with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Health Minister Mangal Pandey leading the event.
Ahead of the inauguration, Health Minister Mangal Pandey, along with Additional Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit, Health Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, Managing Director of BMSICL Dharmendra Kumar Singh, and other officials, conducted a thorough inspection of the preparations.
Minister Pandey issued several instructions regarding the facilities, including vehicle entry and parking arrangements. On Tuesday, Additional Chief Secretary and other officials had also inspected the site and provided guidance to the construction company and hospital authorities.
In the first phase, treatment will be available on 1050 beds across two towers, alongside 27 state-of-the-art modular operation theatres. Over the coming months, patient admissions will gradually expand, with an additional 500 beds to be added before reaching the remaining 700 beds.
PMCH has long been a trusted healthcare facility for the poor of Bihar and neighboring states. All treatments, including tests, are provided free of charge. With the ongoing construction, many of the previous 1750 beds have been unavailable for treatment.
However, the opening of the new phase, with its 1050 beds and 27 advanced operation theatres, will help ease the pressure on large private hospitals and reduce the need for patients to travel to cities like Delhi and Mumbai for complex surgeries. The new operation theatres are equipped with cutting-edge surgical equipment, including operating microscopes, LET live tables, and sterilisation facilities. Around 80 per cent of the necessary equipment has already been installed.
To further enhance the hospital's capabilities, new diagnostic equipment has been installed, including one MRI machine, two ultrasounds, one CT scan, 3D color Doppler, digital X-ray, and one mammography unit. These additions will significantly reduce waiting times for essential tests like MRI, ultrasound, and CT scans. The MRI machine has been purchased by the LNT company, modeled on the technology used at AIIMS Delhi.
PMCH’s expansion will be completed in three phases, ultimately bringing the hospital's total bed capacity to 5462. The total cost of this ambitious project is estimated at Rs 5460 crore, with Rs 764.3 crore allocated specifically for medical equipment. Phase 1 will see Rs 309 crore spent on equipment for four towers, Phase 2 will involve Rs 237.4 crore, and Phase 3 will see Rs 197 crore in investments.
The facilities available in the new building from May 3 will include 1050 beds across several departments such as ENT, Paediatrics, General Medicine, Gynecology, Obstetrics, Geriatrics, PSM, and Ophthalmology. The OPD will feature specialised equipment like Echo machines, Audiometry tools, Bera Scans for eardrum scanning, Auto Retractors for eye exams, Non-Contact Tonometers, ECGs, and Holter machines.
Additionally, the hospital will offer 65 ICU beds, 44 post-ICU beds, 10 deluxe rooms, 100 private rooms, and two suites. Medical equipment worth Rs 160 crore will be installed for the OPD and emergency departments of 10 different specialties. The hospital will also have a helicopter landing facility on the roof to cater to emergency needs.