Dirty operating theatres, leaking roofs and shortage of staff made the principal secretary of the department of health and family affairs see red on Friday during an inspection of the Hirapur campus of Patliputra Medical College and Hospital (PMCH).

Accompanied by Dhanbad deputy commissioner Sunil Kumar Burnwal, hospital superintendent Arun Kumar and college principal Arun Kumar Chaudhary, principal secretary K. Vidyasagar visited different departments, including surgery, orthopaedics and radiology, along with the X-Ray room and blood bank.

Expressing displeasure over the filthy condition of the surgery department, Vidyasagar said patients were susceptible to infection in an unclean atmosphere. He asked the head of the department of surgery D.P. Bhadani, who was also present during the inspection, to pull up his socks.

The principal secretary was also surprised to find that the mobile medical van, provided by the state health department to PMCH about six months ago, was lying idle on the campus and sought an explanation from the hospital superintendent. Kumar said the van did not have necessary medical equipment and a driver due to lack of funds.

More shock was in store. The X-ray room had a leaking roof and only one technician was present. Vidyasagar also expressed concern over poor upkeep of records and shortage of staff and technicians.

Later speaking to the media, the principal secretary said the problems would be dealt with soon. “Infrastructure on the Hirapur campus would be developed once the orthopaedics and surgery departments are shifted to Saraidhela campus. The shifting process has already started,” Vidyasagar said.

He visited the Saraidhela campus of PMCH and Govindpur health sub-centre later in the day.