Chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi (second from left) checks the technology at the eye bank of IGIMS in Patna on Saturday. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, Oct. 18: Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) today became the first health hub in the state to have an eye bank and cornea transplantation facility.

The inauguration of the facility by chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi turned out to be a boon for the institute as he announced major financial boost for its development.

Manjhi said the government today sanctioned funds to the tune of Rs 60 crore for various development works at the IGIMS as requested by its director, N.R. Biswas. Manjhi also announced funds to the tune of Rs 10 crores during the ongoing fiscal year for development of Regional Institute of Ophthalmology at IGIMS as a centre of excellence.

“The IGIMS director met me earlier in the day and asked for more funds for undertaking a number of works, including commencement of new facilities as well as building construction activities. When I asked him about the exact amount of funds, he said Rs 50-55 crores would be sufficient. However, I have sanctioned Rs 60 crores to the IGIMS and they would receive it within a couple of days,” said Manjhi.

Biswas, while delivering his speech, said: “Like cornea transplant facility, we want to open kidney and liver transplant facilities as well. We also need hostels for students, as they have to stay outside the campus. Around Rs 20-25 crore are also required for repair of existing buildings at the institute.”

S.K. Shahi, the medical superintendent at IGIMS, said six persons have already registered for cornea transplant at the institute. “The initial response to the eye bank has been good. All 134 faculty members at the IGIMS and even rural development minister Nitish Mishra have pledged to donate their eyes. We have total 12 faculty members, including eight from AIIIMS, Delhi, at the eye bank. The cost of the transplant here would not be above Rs 5,000, which is quite exorbitant at other places,” said Shahi.

Apart from the eye bank, Manjhi also inaugurated a new 60-bed general surgery ward and blood separation unit at the IGIMS. “We have added 60 beds in the general surgery department. It requires 90 beds and we already had 30 beds. The blood separation unit on the other hand, would be able to provide tests on plasmas, platelets and other components of blood. By opening the new surgery ward and blood separation unit, we have been able to fulfil to important criteria of Medical Council of India,” said Shahi.