Advanced ambulance funds get green light

Patna: Union minister of state for power R.K. Singh on Friday promised to provide Rs 10 crore funds to purchase advanced cardiac life support ambulance for all medical colleges in the state.

Singh assured to provide the funds after health minister Mangal Pandey made a request for them at an event organised by Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) on Friday.

Singh laid the foundation stone of a dharmshala for the accommodation of patients’ attendants at the IGIMS, which has been funded by the Power Grid Corporation of India.

The Rs 15-crore facility will have five floors and 224 beds along with facilities for dining, canteen, grocery stores, water cooler among others. The project is expected to be completed by 2019.

After construction, patients’ attendants would be allowed to stay at the dharmshala by paying a nominal rent. IGIMS director N.R. Biswas, medical superintendent Manish Mandal were among the dignitaries preset on the occasion.

“Around 3,000 patients are being treated at 27 departments of the hospital. A huge number of patients’ attendants could be found resting on the ground on the campus. The project would benefit the attendants,” said Mandal.

The Union minister announced that a portion of the dharmshala would be marked for a generic drug store.

IGIMS director Biswas asked the Union minister to also sponsor the upcoming Bikram-based trauma centre which would be linked with the IGIMS. However, there was no further announcement from the Union minister in this regard.

Courtesy: The Telegraph