Patna, May 15: Promising a complete revamp of superspeciality hospital Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) at a news meet in the capital today, health and family welfare minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey announced the opening of two new specialised departments shortly.

Choubey said a board of governors’ meeting was held on the IGIMS campus under his chairmanship yesterday in which several important decisions were taken and proposals were given a go-ahead, including the setting up of haematology and cardio-thoracic surgery departments.

“We want to further strengthen medicare facilities offered by the institution and provide better treatment options in the public sector. These two departments, one of which — haematology — is non-existent in government hospitals in the state, are part of our efforts to provide better quality specialised treatment to the patients in state hospitals so that they do not have to go outside. There are plans to provide 24x7 emergency services to patients and the senior consultant will also be present round-the-clock to treat them,” said Chaubey and added that for financial year 2011-12, the state government had given Rs 60 crore to IGIMS, a 450-bed facility, while it had earned Rs 9 crore in the last financial year.

He added: “The rules and regulations for the IGIMS have been incomplete and all the important decisions are being taken on the basis of AIIMS guidelines. However, now it is decided that within next two-three months, the complete act will be formulated for the prestigious institution.”

He said as treatment and tests were paid services in the hospital, the state government was keen to provide free treatment to patients belonging to BPL category for which provisions would be made shortly.