Patna, March 29: The health minister has sought an explanation from the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) administration about the power problem in the hospital.

After The Telegraph reported on the lack of power back up in the PMCH on March 26, health minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey has sought an explanation from the hospital administration in this regard.

The report mentioned how power cuts caused disruptions during operations. Choubey told The Telegraph he had asked the hospital administration to submit a status report as soon as possible.

“This is a very serious issue and I have asked the authorities to furnish reports in this regard. Soon, I will also visit the hospital to take stock of the situation. If equipment are not being used despite being provided, it is an extremely serious issue,” he said.

“Uninterrupted power supply (UPS) is an important device and most private hospitals today are using it to maintain a smooth power availability. It is a matter of concern if the PMCH lacks this facility,” he said. The Telegraph’s March 26 report had also mentioned about the electrical devices in the capital’s health hub, lack of proper connection with UPS system that delays surgeries in the hospital everyday.

Sources said even as the state health department spends crores of rupees every month for the functioning and upkeep of the hospital, it presents a shoddy picture with even the basic facilities missing.

“Most of the surgeries are completely dependent on power, not only because of illumination needs, but also because the equipment and devices used during operations run on power. However, surgeries have to be stopped for several minutes because of lack of a power back-up, as generators take time to start every time there is a power cut,” a doctor in the hospital said.

He added: “This is also a reality in Indira Gandhi Critical Care unit, or the emergency ward, where critically ill patients are treated and operated upon. The hospital administration should take this matter seriously and ensure that devices in good condition are used properly,”

Doctors in the hospital said even if the UPS equipment were there at most of the wards, they were not used.

“Specialised surgeries are carried out in respective wards like dermatology, gastroenterology, gynaecology, paediatrics, orthopaedics and the patients who need urgent surgeries are operated upon the emergency ward of the hospital, which has two operation theatres. The devices are connected to the UPS system, but those responsible for operating the system do not use them and that causes all the inconvenience,” said a junior doctor at the hospital.