In a significant boost to healthcare infrastructure in the region, Central PSU Bokaro Steel Limited (BSL) has unveiled plans to completely revamp the existing burn unit at its Bokaro General Hospital (BGH). The ambitious project, slated for completion in 2026, aims to create a modern, advanced facility that will serve as a critical lifeline for burn victims not just in Bokaro, but also from adjoining areas of Jharkhand and neighbouring West Bengal.
Expert Team Embarks on Feasibility Study
The transformation process is already in motion. BSL has deputed a four-member expert team, comprising doctors and civil engineers from Bokaro and Rourkela, to conduct a detailed feasibility study. The team is visiting premier burn care centres across the country to study best practices. Leading the team is Dr. Aninda Mandal, the head of the burn and plastic surgery unit at BGH.
The team's itinerary includes a visit to the renowned AIIMS in New Delhi. They are meticulously examining advanced infrastructure, cutting-edge equipment, management systems, and treatment protocols that can be implemented at BGH. Other members include Ayushman Samanta from Bokaro's civil department, Dr. Ruby Singh, a plastic surgeon from Rourkela Steel Plant's hospital, and engineer Pradipto Mandal. The team is also scheduled to visit the National Burns Centre in Mumbai in January before submitting a comprehensive report to the BSL management.
Key Features of the Proposed Upgrade
The upgrade is a necessity as the current 12-bed burn unit at BGH lacks many hi-tech facilities, limiting its capacity to handle severe and complex burn cases. This often forces patients to seek expensive treatment at private hospitals. The proposed state-of-the-art transformation aims to change this scenario entirely.
The new facility is expected to include several advanced components:
- Modern Intensive Care Units (ICUs) specifically designed for burn patients.
- Modular operation theatres for enhanced surgical precision and sterility.
- A dedicated skin bank, a crucial resource for grafting procedures.
- Significantly enhanced and trained manpower to operate the new systems.
Telemedicine Support and Official Confirmation
In a parallel initiative to bolster expertise, BSL is working on a plan to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AIIMS New Delhi. This collaboration is intended to provide telemedicine support to doctors at BGH, allowing them to consult with national experts on complex cases remotely.
Confirming the developments, Manikant Dhan, Chief of Communications at BSL, stated, "The process to modernise the BGH burn unit is underway. Expert visits are being conducted, and the facility will be upgraded soon for the benefit of Bokaro and beyond." This project underscores BSL's commitment to corporate social responsibility and enhancing public health infrastructure, promising a new era of advanced burn care for eastern India.
