- By Nalini Ranjan
- Tue, 23 Jun 2026 09:55 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Jagran Correspondent, Patna | Nishant Kumar on Tuesday visited Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for the first time after becoming Health Minister in Bihar. Patients and their families raised a slew of complaints to the minister. The PMCH Principal, Dr NP Singh, was absent during the minister's pre-scheduled visit, drawing Kumar's ire. Taking the matter seriously, the health minister ordered action against the Principal.
As per the pre-scheduled program, the Health Minister inspected various health services at the hospital, but Dr Singh was not present during the entire visit and review meeting. Kumar expressed strong displeasure over the lack of information regarding the Principal's leave. Meanwhile, Dr NP Singh stated that he was ill.
After inaugurating the new Radiology Department, the minister held a review meeting in the Superintendent's office. Health Department Secretary Kumar Ravi, PMCH Superintendent Dr Rajiv Kumar Singh, and other officials were present at the meeting. Officials attempted to contact the Principal on the minister's instructions, but were unable to speak to him.
Necessary Action Will Be Taken: Kumar
Speaking to the media, Kumar said the Principal's absence from the meeting despite prior notice of the program was a serious matter. He stated that such absence from a meeting by an official holding a responsible position was unacceptable. The matter would be investigated and necessary action would be taken.
Minister Inspects Emergency And Medicine Store
During the inspection, the minister also reviewed the health services at Patna's biggest hospital. He inspected the ultrasound, CT scan, and X-ray facilities available to patients in the newly constructed Radiology Department.
He then inspected the NICU and PICU wards of the Pediatrics Department, the Emergency, the Cath Lab, the CCU, the medicine distribution center, and the surgical medicine store.
During the inspection, he instructed the hospital administration to maintain improved sanitation, ensure the availability of medicines, promptly repair faulty machines, and treat patients and their families with sensitivity.
Patients Raise Several Issues
During an inspection, patients and their families exposed the hospital's poor arrangements and corruption-related issues. They raised numerous complaints regarding treatment, tests, and trolley arrangements. The most common complaints were about trolley men extorting money and senior doctors not making regular rounds.
Patients reported that trolley men demand between Rs 50 and Rs 200 for tests or transporting patients from one department to another.
The relatives of 65-year-old Chinta Devi, admitted in the emergency ward, told the minister that while the hospital's new building and development are visible, the treatment facilities are still not satisfactory. They reported that senior doctors do not visit patients regularly, and patients have to wait long periods for diagnosis and treatment.
Kumar Expresses Anguish Over Complaints
Irked with the complaints, the minister ordered an immediate investigation into the matters and directed officials to make improvements. During the inspection, several patients raised questions about the quality of facilities and services available at the hospital. They stated that patients face additional difficulties due to a lack of timely diagnosis and treatment.
Following complaints from patients, Kumar directed the hospital administration to ensure daily ward rounds by senior doctors. A permanent solution to the trolley problem should also be found to ensure that patients do not face any inconvenience, he asserted.
(With Jagran Inputs)