Ranchi: The 100-bed paying ward in the super-specialty wing of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) needs publicity to attract patients.

At the ward, which was inaugurated by chief minister Raghubar Das on July 26, a patient can avail facilities similar to a private hospital at Rs 1,000 per room per day.

The five-storey building, built at a cost of Rs 22 crore, has two elevators. The ground floor has a dining hall, conference hall, kitchen and a recreation room.

However, despite all the facilities, there was a lone patient undergoing treatment in the ward on Tuesday.

A ward staff said the response hadn't been good so far.

"Currently, there's only one patient undergoing treatment. Sanjay Singh was admitted on July 27, a day after inauguration. A resident of Jamshedpur, he is under the care of Dr Prakash Kumar. He looks hale and hearty," the ward staff said.

A private security guard deployed on the ground floor said they were expecting two more admissions.

"This morning, two persons had come to check out the facilities in the paying ward. It seems that both of them are interested in admitting their patients here," the guard said.

"I am the first patient of the ward. Barring some initial problems, the facilities are good. The bathrooms are equipped with geysers. Each room has two beds, one for the patient and another for the attendant. One doctor and three nurses are always available on each floor," Singh said, adding that he was feeling well and his medical reports were fine.

He said there was a need to launch a publicity drive to inform people about it. "Many do not know about the ward. Proper steps should be taken to inform people," Singh said.

RIMS director Dr R.K. Srivastava said steps were being taken to ensure optimum use of the ward. "The flow of patients will increase gradually. Doctors of various departments will inform patients about the facility. The patient, who is undergoing treatment, has come here after spending Rs 4 lakh at a Gurgaon hospital," Srivastava said.