Patna, March 1: Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) is all set for a makeover. The health hub authorities have proposed a change in the layout of the hospital. Old buildings may give way to new ones, said a source.

PMCH principal N.K. Yadav said a proposal for the new constructions and renovations has already been sent to the state health department.

“There are a number of old buildings on the campus that we want to demolish and construct new buildings in their place. There is also a plan to construct a hostel for the students, a central library and a new blood bank. The sewage system of the hospital also needs to be overhauled,” said Yadav.

The principal, however, refused to divulge details about which building would be brought down.

He said it would be inappropriate to discuss the matter until the hospital received formal sanction from the state government.

According to sources, a number of buildings on the PMCH campus are decades old and in a shambles. Some wards like the paediatrics, medicine and the outpatients’ department are in a terrible condition

“Barring a few buildings like the emergency ward and Rajendra Surgical Ward that are comparatively new, most buildings are in a pathetic condition. These buildings have not been renovated since they were constructed,” he said.

An official also said that shifting patients from the emergency to the other wards was a major challenge because of the layout of the buildings on the premises.

Many of the wards are in buildings that are several hundred metres from the central emergency ward. It is difficult for attendants and employees to shift patients to these wards. If a system is devised to facilitate the shifting of the patients, it would be good, said a senior hospital employee.

The state government too is interested to have the proposed changes in infrastructure see the light of day.

Principal secretary, health, Amarjeet Sinha said the government was considering the proposed changes.

He said: “PMCH will soon have improved facilities for attendants of patients, an auditorium and a guest house.”

He added: “We know that the infrastructure at PMCH is not enough to support the heavy rush of patients. Steps will soon be taken to improve the conditions. A new corporation — Bihar Medical Services and Infrastructure Corporation (BMSIC) — has been formed for this purpose.

“BMSIC will start operations from April. The corporation will conduct a survey to study how we can best utilise the space in PMCH. The health hub campus will get a complete makeover,” said Sinha.