New ICU aims to reduce referrals to Patna, minister says
Muzaffarpur: Bihar Health Minister Nishant Kumar on Thursday inaugurated a 12-bed Intensive Care Unit at the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (HBCH&RC) located on the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) campus here and announced plans for a further 30-bed super-speciality ICU within the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
Tight security arrangements were in place across the hospital premises during the minister's visit, officials said. The inauguration was performed by cutting a ribbon, after which the minister carried out a detailed inspection of several departments of the cancer hospital.
During the inspection, the minister reviewed the availability of medicines, diagnostic facilities, modern medical equipment and the presence of doctors to assess readiness for handling critically ill patients. He issued strict directions to medical and administrative officials that there must be no compromise on the quality of healthcare services offered to patients.
“The Muzaffarpur cancer hospital would be further upgraded with advanced technology and comprehensive treatment facilities in the coming days,”
Officials said the government objective is to ensure that cancer patients and those suffering from other serious illnesses in north Bihar do not have to travel to Patna or outside the state for advanced treatment, and can access quality healthcare closer to home.
- New facility inaugurated: 12-bed Intensive Care Unit at HBCH&RC, SKMCH campus.
- Planned expansion: Announcement of a 30-bed super-speciality ICU within the PICU ward for critically ill children.
- Inspection focus: Medicines, diagnostics, medical equipment and availability of doctors.
Local consequences and context
The inauguration is part of the state government’s broader effort to modernise healthcare infrastructure at medical colleges and district-level facilities. The minister reiterated that strengthening such centres will reduce the burden on tertiary hospitals in Patna and limit the need for patients and families to travel long distances for advanced care.
Hospital sources said the new 12-bed ICU is intended to serve cancer patients requiring critical care as well as others admitted to HBCH&RC. The announced expansion of a 30-bed super-speciality PICU reflects a stated focus on paediatric critical care at the centre; the minister described this as a measure to strengthen treatment facilities for critically ill children.
Health officials present during the visit were directed to ensure uninterrupted supply chains for essential medicines and to verify that diagnostic machines and other equipment were functional and staffed by trained personnel. The minister’s review included checks on whether adequate numbers of doctors and supporting staff were available to run the new ICU and the proposed PICU expansion.
Government campaign and next steps
The inauguration follows the state government’s recent launch of a campaign titled “Jaanch evam Upchar Chikitsa Aapke Dwar” (Screening and Treatment at Your Doorstep), aimed at early detection and timely treatment. Officials said the campaign and the hospital upgrades are complementary efforts to improve access to medical services, particularly in north Bihar.
| Facility | Bed strength (existing/announced) |
|---|---|
| HBCH&RC ICU | 12 (inaugurated) |
| PICU super-speciality ICU | 30 (announced) |
Officials said further upgrades and procurement of advanced technology would be undertaken in phases. The minister emphasised continuous monitoring to ensure that upgraded facilities translate into better patient outcomes and local access to specialised care.
The admission of a dedicated ICU at a cancer hospital and the proposed paediatric expansion are likely to be welcomed by patients and public-health advocates in Muzaffarpur and surrounding districts, who have long cited the need for enhanced tertiary-care facilities in north Bihar.
