Patna: All 534 state blocks will now get one ambulance support for lifetime each to transport serious patients from remote villages to the nearest district hospital or medical college and hospital for treatment.
Minister of Health Mangal Pandey said this ambulance would be equipped with a heart unit, portable ventilator, monitor, oxygen and other saving medical devices.
This initiative is part of the state government preparation to face the possibility of the third wave of covid pandemic.
He said even though the primary health center, sub-division and district hospitals had their own ambulance, this new ambulance, which will be available within three months, will remain under the control of the Ministry of Health.
Because people face difficulties in arranging an ambulance equipped with oxygen to bring serious patients to large hospitals such as IGIM, AIIM, PMCH and NMCH during the first wave and both covid pandemic, the introduction of the right ambulance facilities is the requirement of hours.
The state government also tries to make medical oxygen available in all health facilities.
“Of the 123 proposed oxygen plants, 22 has been installed in different hospitals, including PMCH, NMCH, IGIM, DMCH and Vardhman Institute of Medical Sciences, Pawapuri.
The remaining plants will be installed in the hospital on September 10,” added Pandey.
When health experts have expressed concern that the third wave of pandemics may most affect children because they have not been immunized, the state government has launched an initiative to establish a pediatric intensive care unit (Picus) in all important government hospitals.
“While medical colleges and hospitals with 100 beds each developed 40 Picus, those who have less than 100 beds will have Picus 32 beds,” Minister said.