The sixth foundation day of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Patna, on Monday will be a low-key affair with the premier institution not going to inaugurate any new facility.

Though the high commissioner of Mauritius to India, J. Goburdhun, is likely to attend the foundation day programme, AIIMS officials have planned an oration on 'Community outreach programmes- innovations and revolutions in healthcare system', which former director of the institute Dr G.K. Singh will deliver.

AIIMS-Patna director Dr Prabhat Kumar Singh said: 'We are not going to inaugurate any new facility. The former director of the institute will deliver an oration lecture to be followed by a celebration party. That's it.'

Sources said G.K. Singh's oration was likely to mention AIIMS-Patna's success in its community outreach programmes such as starting of telemedicine-cum-Chattissa centres.

On whether AIIMS-Patna could start the trauma and emergency wing by December this year as the administration had earlier aimed, director Singh said the institution would try its best. 'It is linked to various works, including laying of gas pipeline and starting the operation theatre. We can only hope that these works are completed on time.'

AIIMS-Patna doctors, however, said it might take six months to start the trauma and emergency wing. 'Apart from floor space to run the trauma and emergency wing, we also need other things to run it. The faculty recruitment drive has been started after a long time but it would also take time to complete it. How can the trauma and emergency wing run without super-specialty doctors? Though the hospital has general surgeons and orthopaedic surgeons but it also requires other super-specialty doctors. There is also no functional blood bank so that trauma-related cases could be taken up,' said a doctor who didn't wish to be quoted.

But the director claimed that the pace of work in the project had improved with the construction firm engaging almost 750 workers at the site.

Sources said initially around 2,000 workers had been engaged in work but the company had shifted most of its labourers to Mumbai and other places a few months ago.

'The Centre seems to have turned serious about finishing the AIIMS-Patna project and warned the contractor to increase its number of labourers,' said an AIIMS-Patna official wishing anonymity.