Muzaffarpur Hospital: No Patients

• 10 Sep 2024

Why in News?

Recently, a government hospital built in 2015 in Chainpura Village, Muzaffarpur, remains unused and abandoned despite being intended for local healthcare services.

Key Points

• Hospital Status:The government hospital in Chainpura Village was built in 2015 but has never treated a patient.
  • The 30-bed facility was never inaugurated and remains deserted.
• Current Condition: The hospital is surrounded by tall grass, resembling a haunted house. It has become a hangout for antisocial elements, including gamblers, drunkards, and drug addicts.
• Construction Issues: The hospital was built on a different plot than originally planned, leading the Health Department to refuse possession. The facility, spread over six acres, remains abandoned.
• Status of Healthcare in Bihar:
  • Healthcare Infrastructure: Bihar has faced challenges in healthcare infrastructure, with several projects either incomplete or underutilized.
    • The state has 9,112 SCs (Sub-Centres), 1,702 PHCs (Primary Healthcare Centres), and 57 CHCs(Community Health centers), with an excess of 10.54% PHCs in urban areas. Under the Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs), 2,341 HWCs are operational. All District Hospitals (DHs) and Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs) serve as functional FRUs (First Referral Units).
  • Healthcare Access: The state struggles with inadequate healthcare facilities, impacting access and quality of care for its residents.
    • Recent data shows that 642 out of 1,000 people used OPD services and 33 used IPD services from public health facilities. However, NSSO data (2017-18) indicates that only 18% of rural and 23% of urban OPD cases utilized public health facilities, though 70% of rural and 72% of urban IPD cases did, surpassing the national average.
• Challenges:
  • Inadequate Planning and Execution: Construction was carried out on an incorrect plot, leading to the abandonment of the project.
  • Vandalism and Neglect: Lack of maintenance has led to significant damage and misuse of the hospital premises.
  • Absence of Inauguration and Operation: The hospital was never inaugurated or made functional, leaving it as a wasted asset.
  • Impact on Local Community: Villagers are deprived of local medical services and must travel long distances for healthcare.
• Way Forward:
  • Immediate Repair and Operationalization: Urgently repair and renovate the hospital to make it functional. Ensure the building is secured and maintained.
  • Effective Management and Oversight: Implement strong oversight mechanisms to ensure that healthcare facilities are properly planned, constructed, and maintained.
  • Community Engagement: Engage local communities in the planning and operation of healthcare facilities to ensure they meet actual needs.
  • Review and Improve Healthcare Planning: Conduct a thorough review of existing healthcare projects and improve planning and execution processes to prevent similar issues in the future.