Super Speciality Eye Hospital in Patna | 16 Dec 2024
Why in News?
Recently, the Bihar government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sankara Eye Foundation India, Coimbatore to facilitate the construction and operation of a super-specialty eye hospital in Patna.
Key Points
- Land Allocation Approval:
- The Bihar Cabinet approved the allocation of 1.60 acres of land in Kankarbagh, Patna on a conditional lease at a nominal cost of Rs 1 to Sankara Eye Foundation India.
- This land will be utilized for the construction of the super-specialty eye hospital.
- Hospital Details and Benefits:
- Sankara Eye Foundation India, an internationally acclaimed eye treatment hospital, will construct and operate the hospital at its own expense.
- Advanced treatments such as corneaplasty, retinal detachment surgeries, and eye cancer treatments will be offered along with general eye care.
- Free Treatment Provision:
- 75% of the patients will receive free treatment, while the remaining 25% will pay for services.
- Families earning less than Rs 2.5 lakh annually will qualify for free treatment.
- Contrasting Health Infrastructure Report:
- CAG Audit Findings on Bihar Health Infrastructure:
- The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on Public Health Infrastructure (2016–2022) presented during the winter session criticized the state’s performance.
- Out of the Rs 69,790.83 crore health budget allocated from FY 2016-17 to 2021-22, only Rs 48,047.79 crore (69%) was spent, leaving Rs 21,743.04 crore (31%) unutilized.
- Low Health Expenditure:
- Bihar’s healthcare spending as a percentage of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) ranged between 1.33% and 1.73%, and against the State Budget, it ranged between 3.31% and 4.41%.
- Resource Shortages:
- The report highlighted shortages in drugs, medical equipment, and consumables, pointing to critical gaps in public health infrastructure.
- CAG Audit Findings on Bihar Health Infrastructure: