Patna: The first phase of work of developing Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) into a world-class hospital would start by next financial year, health minister Mangal Pandey said.

The health department had formed a panel of experts to decide about drawing and design. The committee was likely to finalise the design very soon after which first phase of the work would start.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar had put forth the idea of turning PMCH into a world-class hospital during the 88th foundation programme of the hospital in 2013. He had also hinted at granting autonomy to PMCH besides asking health authorities to replace its old buildings with multi-storeyed structures and upgrade healthcare facilities.

Most original structures at PMCH are in a dilapidated condition and the hospital lacks state-of-the-art machines. The biggest plus point, however, is that it serves the largest number of poor patients in Bihar.

"Experts have held three meetings," health minister Mangal Pandey said about the PMCH project. "We are going to start the first phase of work by next financial year."

The expert committee includes director-in-chief, health services, Azad Hind Prasad, additional secretary-cum-managing director of Bihar Medical Services and Infrastructure Corporation Limited (BMSICL) Sanjay Kumar Singh, medical college principal Vijay Kumar Gupta and former PMCH principal S.N. Sinha among others.

Health department sources said work would start in a way that hospital functioning is not disturbed. "Approach roads would be created alongside the river Ganga leading to the hospital's emergency wing. There would be a 200-bed central emergency, which will be equipped with operation theatres and intensive care unit," said a health official .

Starting of MBBS course at the Madhepura Medical College from this year is also on the department's card. "I requested Union health minister J.P. Nadda to ensure inspection is conducted by March so that we can start the course. Only after MCI's go-ahead, can the course start. Also, we will start construction of new medical colleges at Madhubani, Samastipur, Bhojpur, Begusarai, Chhapra and Purnea from the next financial year."