Bhagalpur, Dec. 11: Efforts to give the silk city a facelift under the smart city plan has prompted companies to offer their best services in medical, education and other sectors.

In a major step that will improve access of Bhagalpur residents to quality health care, multi-speciality Paras HMRI Hospital, Patna, has tied up with Tapaswi Hospital to start dedicated out-patient departments for cardiology, neurosurgery, spine and cancer patients in the city.

As part of the arrangement, reputable doctors of Paras HMRI, Patna, will travel to Bhagalpur regularly where they will offer consultation and advice to patients seeking quality health facilities.

Paras HMRI Hospital said with an aim to serve people of Bhagalpur and bringing the most advanced health-care services to their doorstep it has started its dedicated OPD in the city.

"The initiative will help bridge the gap of quality and affordable health care in the city and will help a large number of patients seek the best medical care without travelling to other cities," said Promod Kumar, director cardiology, Paras, HMRI hospital.

Bhagalpur is the hub of handloom and agro-based industries. Because of these factors, the district has huge potential in commerce and industry. "However, there is no super-specialty health services for the people, so I decided to join in the venture with Paras," said Mirtunjay Kumar, one of the owners of Tapaswi Hospital. The OPD of cardiology, neurosurgery, spine and cancer will function every first and third Saturdays.

Institute opens

Career Point, an institute based in Kota, Rajasthan, has opened a centre at Aliganj in Bhagalpur. Centre head Ravikant Ghosh said students don't have to leave the city to prepare for medical and engineering tests, because Career Point would provide quality and affordable education.