State co-operative minister Ramadhar Singh (extreme left) inspects Purnea Sadar Hospital on Friday. Picture by Mohan Mahato

Purnea, April 29: State co-operative minister Ramadhar Singh today inspected Purnea Sadar Hospital without prior notice and found several shortcomings in the hospital’s helthcare services.

The minister was accompanied by district magistrate (DM) and collector N. Saravana and deputy civil surgeon Jawahar Khan. During his inspection of the hospital, Singh visited the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), emergency ward, maternity ward and the kitchen on the premises.

The minister took note of the sub-standard food being served to the patients, non-functional air-conditioners in the ICU and absence of doctors.

The district administration and deputy civil surgeon were directed to improve the healthcare standard at the hospital within a fortnight.

Singh also directed Rogi Kalayan Samitee, wing of state health society, to rush a patient, Birbal, who was in coma to Patna for treatment. The DM said they had enough fund for ensuring better health services as directed by the minister.