SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Feb. 18: Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), health, Arun Kumar Singh has called a meeting of the principals of the three new medical colleges and director of All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) Deoghar on February 24 for development of basic amenities in the campus for patients and their attendants.
The joint secretary, health, Alok Trivedi has shot off a letter to the principal of Hazaribagh Sheikh Bhikari Medical College Hospital, Dr SK Singh, principal of Mednirai Medical College Hospital, Palamu Dr RD Nagesh, principal of Phulo Jhanho Medical College Hospital, Dumka Dr Arun Kumar Choudhary and director of AIIMS Deoghar Dr Saurabh Varshney to come with a blueprint for development of their institution’s surrounding area.
Dr SK Singh, director, medical education wing of the state health department cum principal of Hazaribagh medical college when contacted today admitted that the meeting has been called on February 24 at which development of area of the institution such like road, electric and other basis amenities related with patients and their attendants would be discussed.
Palamu, Hazaribagh, Dumka medical colleges and AIIMS Deoghar opened in 2019. Since college buildings of all the four institutions are around 7 to 8 km away from the township, the patients and their attendants face hardship in reaching there.
A senior official of the state health department said that the additional chief secretary is serious for development of amenities in the area near newly set up medical colleges of the state. So, he has directed the authorities of these institutions to come up with a blueprint of area development.
The meeting will discuss the approach road to the college and hospital, street light, transport and stand facilities, proper boarding arrangement of patient’s attendants near hospitals, patients shed, drinking water facilities. Since attendants come to hospital from far flung areas, the ACS health has also sought a planning report from the principals and director of medical colleges on how to set up a proper eatery.
The official said the principals would be asked to explore possibilities of setting up eateries on private land with interested operators if government or municipal corporation land is not available in the area.
