Patna, Feb. 18: The alumni of Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) are eager to see their alma mater transformed into a premier health hub. They have urged the state government to develop various departments of the college into super speciality wings in a public-private-partnership (PPP) model.

A formal roadmap of the subject will be formulated during the first global PMCH alumni meet on February 25, which is also the foundation day of the college.

A source said the college alumni plan to upgrade departments like paediatrics, gastroenterology, urology, nephrology and neurology into super speciality clinics.

“We want to offer our technical know-how to serve the people of the state. We will discuss what can be done with the representatives of the state government during the reunion,” said Dr D.K. Chaudhury, a member of the PMCH Alumni Association.

Around 125 doctors settled abroad and 2,000 medical practitioners from across the country would land in Patna for the meet at their alma mater.

Chaudhury added: “Many states are adopting the PPP model to develop super speciality wings in medical colleges. We should also try to follow the model for the betterment of the medical services in the state. The alumni, especially those settled abroad, are eager to invest in the departments of the college. If the government provides us with space, we can acquire the required infrastructure and logistics. We will also provide technical assistance and manpower,” added Chaudhury.

In Gujarat, the PPP model has provided the much-needed boost to the medical facilities, said the doctor.

The alumni feel the upgrade will enable the residents of the state avail of advanced medical facilities at nominal and subsidised rates.

Chaudhury, a paediatric surgeon, said the diagnostic systems like MRI, which are not available in any government hospital in the state, could be set up at PMCH under the proposed plan.

A group of PMCH alumni have already met senior officials of the health department, who had assured the doctors they would explore the possibility of such collaboration.

“The state government has promised that PMCH would be revamped next year. We are, therefore, hopeful that the government will pay heed to our offer. We have sought a meeting with the health department officials around the time of the alumni meet so that a roadmap can be prepared,” said Dr Jitendra Kumar Singh, the general secretary of the alumni association.

Governor Devanand Konwar will inaugurate the programme that will be attended by state health minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey.

Singh added: “PMCH has always had a unique identity. But over the past few years it has been tarnished. We want to restore the college to its former glory.”

ALUMNI PLEDGE

DEPARTMENT UPGRADE: Plan to transform paediatrics, gastroenterology, urology, nephrology and neurology into super speciality clinics in a public-private-partnership model

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: The alumni, especially those settled abroad, are eager to invest in the departments of the college

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: Doctors ready to give technical assistance and manpower. Promise to acquire the required infrastructure and logistics for the upgrade if provided the space