Patna, March 4: Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) authorities have submitted a proposal to the state health department to augment the facilities at its burns ward.

Sources said the surge of patients at the ward had prompted the health hub authorities to chalk out the Rs 13-crore plan. At present, the ward has 52 beds. The hospital authorities have decided to convert it into a 100-bed centre equipped with sophisticated surgical equipment and advanced facilities.

“Fifty-one beds in the ward are occupied at present. This is probably the only hospital in the country where such a large number of burn patients are hospitalised at one time,” said Dr V.P. Chaudhary, the head of department of burns and plastic surgery at PMCH.

He added that shortage of doctors and paramedics and lack of equipment were major hindrances in the treatment of patients. Several kinds of surgeries cannot be performed owing to the lack of necessary tools and manpower.

“Against the sanctioned strength of 12 doctors in the department, there are just three medics at present. Posts of associate professors and senior resident doctors have been vacant for several years. Also, there is an acute shortage of paramedics, dressers and other staff. We somehow manage to cope with the pressure but it is becoming more and more difficult,” said Chaudhary.

The number of beds in the ward, too, is inadequate. “In other wards, patients, who cannot be assigned beds, are kept on the floor. Burn patients cannot be left on the ground. Therefore, whenever we have more patients than the number of available beds, we try to accommodate them in other wards. However, as they are very susceptible to infections and need a high standard of hygiene around them, apart from constant air-conditioning, which other wards don’t have, it becomes a major problem,” said Chaudhary.

The proposal for expansion, which was recently forwarded to the health department, also demands necessary equipment and tools for plastic surgery.

At present, PMCH has no facility for procedures such as laser treatment or liposuction.

“Burn patients often need corrective surgeries after their wound heals. However, we are unable to perform such surgeries owing lack of equipment. We often refer such patients to Delhi,” Chaudhary said.

He added: “In the plan for expansion, we have asked the government to provide us with required equipment.”

Attendants of several patients in the ward complained that the hospital is not fully equipped to provide even basic treatment to burn patients.

“For the past one month I have been at the hospital with my mother. I have seen only a few burn patients survive. It is sad and unfortunate,” said Jai Shankar Srivastava, a relative of a patient.

He added: “Doctors and supporting staff are very few. Life saving equipment and medicines are not available. I have seen dressers charge people for providing services that are meant to be free.”