Patna: The state government-run Guru Govind Singh Hospital in Patna City is virtually proving to be a white elephant for residents.

The hospital claims to have facilities to accommodate 148 patients though 312 beds were sanctioned. Established in 1935, Guru Govind Singh Hospital still does not have a pathologist or a full-fledged blood storage facility. "We are unable to conduct major surgeries for lack of anaesthetic machine in anaesthesia department," said an employee at the hospital.

Around 600-700 patients visit the hospital's outdoor patient department every day but pathological and other tests are a problem in the absence of a permanent pathologist. Patients have to go outside for tests. Similar is the case with the eye, nose and throat (ENT) department.

There is no doctor to attend to patients there. No doctors in the skin and radiology department either. "In the absence of a permanent doctor or a technician in the radiology department, patients are referred to other hospitals," said hospital health manager Shabbir Khan.

"We have sent several proposals to the state government to equip the hospital with facilities but the proposal is hanging fire," said another employee on the condition of anonymity.

On an average, 600 patients come to the hospital every day for treatment, Shabbir said. Most patients come with fever, asthma or tuberculosis cases. The paediatrics department is also in a bad condition even though a good number of patients visit the hospital every day.

Hospital superintendent Baidh Nath Mishra admitted the radiology department was not functioning well in the absence of doctors. The lack of laparoscopic machine has hampered surgeries despite two doctors being posted in the department.

The superintendent also said the hospital was not equipped to deal with emergency cases. So it was referring such cases to other hospitals after giving first aid.