Patna, April 15: The lackadaisical attitude of the authorities of Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) is reflected not only from their treatment of patients but also from the lack of planning and administration at the premiere health hub.

PMCH, even after three months, has not scrutinised the applications of more than 200 candidates for the post of six health managers, advertised by the hospital. It has also failed to set norms for the recruitment even as patients continue to suffer.

The appointment was postponed to a later date after the candidates reached the hospital’s administrative block, as reported by The Telegraph on January 19 (see grab).

PMCH principal Dr N.P. Yadav said: “Six health managers are being appointed in various departments in an exercise to provide better healthcare to a large number of patients coming to the PMCH. However, we have not been able to scrutinise the application forms yet. We held a meeting in this regard three days back and set a 10 day-deadline for the work. Hopefully, it will be completed by the end of next week.”

Attendants of patients admitted in the hospital also ridiculed the casual approach of the hospital authorities. “It is ridiculous that the administration first called up the candidates without setting up the selection criteria and then sent them back. Even now they do not have a policy in place. However, we hope that the services offered by the health managers will make the hospital more productive and comfortable for patients. At present, there is hardly any authority with whom we can register our complaints and demands,” said Pratima Devi, an attendantwho was looking after her ailing husband in the surgical ward.

Sources said a committee has been formed at the health hub to shortlist the candidates’ resumes, call them for interviews and finalise the appointments. While Yadav has been appointed the chairman of the committee, superintendents and head of departments of the wings where the health managers are to be recruited are the other committee members. Sources said the health managers, qualified with MBA degrees, would be responsible for personnel and patient care, creating schedules, structuring the work environment and regulating healthcare. Their role might also include managing finance for the facilities.

Yadav said: “We have a 1,675-bed facility but we have no less than 2,400-2,500 patients admitted in different wards of the hospital on any given day. It often creates trouble for both the hospital staff and the patients. The health managers will be appointed on contractual basis and will supervise administrative work apart from patient care, diet and medical attention. This will strengthen facilities at the hospital.

“At present, we have only one health manager. The new health managers are to be appointed in gynaecology, surgery, medicine, paediatrics, orthopaedics and emergency departments which see a huge rush of patients every day. The health managers will be responsible for overall patient care and will report to the doctors or heads of departments concerned if they receive any complaints from patients and their relatives. They will also make sure that the doctors conform to the rules of the hospital,” added Yadav.