Dr AN Rai speaks at the news meet of Abhay Institute of Medical Sciences in Gaya on Wednesday. Picture by Suman

The first super-speciality hospital of Magadh division, Abhay Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), would start operating from August 18.

Chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi would, however, inaugurate the hospital on August 8.

AIMS chairman and renowned cardiologist of Gaya A.N. Rai said on Wednesday that primarily four departments — nephrology, neurosurgery, cardiology and critical care — would start functioning.

Apart from diagnosis equipment like CT scan, ultrasound and X-ray machines, critical care management equipment like dialysis, ventilators and infusion pumps will be available.

The hospital has six modular operating theatres and a 16-bed intensive care unit (ICU). “Facilities like dialysis, ventilator and infusion pump are not available in Gaya despite a medical college being here,” Rai said.

The vision to start the super-speciality hospital is to offer comprehensive services in an environment where innovation, research and teaching are integral to care.

“Being in medical practice, we come to know every day about critical patients dying on their way to Patna and other places because of lack of proper treatment. Now, we are aiming to provide the necessary treatment to such critical patients in Gaya and save their lives. It is also our aim to provide cost-effective treatment to the patients. There are 220 beds in the hospital constructed at Hario village on the Gaya-Dobhi road, around 5km from Gaya railway station and nearly 2km from the Gaya international airport. The building is five-storied (ground plus five) with adequate space to run the departments,” Rai said.

He added that they were appointing experienced faculties for the hospital.

“The super-speciality course is not available in any medical college in the state. But those medics who have studied outside Bihar would certainly get a chance to serve here. The hospital will offer services like emergency and trauma care, general medicine, gastroenterology, endocrinology, laparoscopic surgery, orthopedic surgery and radiology,” Rai said.

Hospital medical superintendent Rahul Gautam said at present, doctors for radiology, pathology, medicine, nephrology, neurology, general surgery, paediatrics, eye and ear-nose-throat departments are available.

There will be eight resident doctors on round-the-clock duty. At present, the hospital will have strength of around 160, including doctors, nurses and other employees. Before the hospital starts functioning from August 18, there will be a three-day training for all employees, including the doctors, from August 15 to 17. There are plans to start more departments like laparoscopic and dermatology in the future.