This Chhath, the health department appears to be ready to handle exigencies, if any.

Ten beds each would be reserved at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) and Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) during the festival to handle emergency patients. Medical kits have also been kept ready at both the health hubs.

Several anomalies were found in the preparedness of PMCH in 2012, when 18 people died in a stampede after offering the evening obeisance to the Sun God. But this year, it is ready to handle any situation. So is NMCH.

The principal health secretary, Deepak Kumar, said special arrangements had been made at the government medical college hospitals in view of Chhath. The medical college hospitals of the city, including PMCH and NMCH, have been directed to keep 10 beds reserved for Chhath-related incidents. Besides, a mock drill was conducted at both the health hubs on Saturday to check the reaction and response time of the officials and the doctors if they get a bulk of emergency cases at a time.

“The officials and the doctors were taught how to control the crowd in the mock drill. They also learnt how to stop the crowd from entering the hospitals, which can affect the treatment of patients,” said Deepak. He said the necessary drugs had also been stocked up at both the hospitals.

“The mock drill was conducted in collaboration with the officers of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the district administration. This year, SDRF would set up a separate camp on the PMCH campus. Paramedics would be there. Mobile medical units would be deployed near the major ghats,” added Deepak.

PMCH deputy superintendent Dr Sudhanshu Singh said the hospital had prepared around 60 kits for giving immediate relief to emergency patients. “This is a first-of-its-kind initiative. The kits have intravenous therapy set, saline water and necessary medicines. We have provided the kits to nurses,” said Singh.

NMCH superintendent Dr Santosh Kumar also said the hospital had prepared emergency kits. “We would have two mobile and two static units during Chhath. We have also reserved 20 beds (10 was mandatory) for Chhath-related incidents,” he said.

CARE-FUL STEPS
New initiatives of the health department before Chhath:

Medical college hospitals will keep at least 10 beds vacant to attend to patients in the event of any exigency during the festival

A mock drill has been conducted by the health department at government medical college hospitals in collaboration with State Disaster Response Force and the district administration

Emergency kits ready at Patna Medical College and Hospital and Nalanda Medical College and Hospital

Dial

Health department’s control room number: 0612-2215505

Fax number: 0612- 2217608