In a significant boost to public healthcare in Jharkhand, the Ranchi Sadar Hospital is set to establish a dedicated gastrointestinal (GI) surgery department and substantially expand its nephrology services. This initiative, to be implemented under the central government's Ayushman Bharat scheme, aims to provide advanced surgical care at affordable costs within the government system, directly benefiting economically weaker sections.
Advanced GI Surgery Comes to Government Healthcare
The new GI surgery department represents a major leap forward for specialized care in the region. Hospital authorities have confirmed that the process for appointing specialist doctors has been recently completed, with services likely to commence in the coming year. This department will perform several high-cost GI surgical procedures that are currently available only in private hospitals.
Dr. Prabhat Kumar, the Civil Surgeon of Ranchi, emphasized the critical need for this facility. He pointed out that the gastroenterology department is not even operational at the premier Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), highlighting the gap this new unit will fill. "It will bring major relief to patients from economically weaker sections, who are often forced to seek treatment in private facilities due to the unavailability of specialised services in government hospitals," Dr. Kumar stated.
Major Expansion of Nephrology Services
Parallel to the GI surgery launch, the hospital is also ramping up its nephrology department in response to a rising number of kidney-related cases. The recruitment process for an additional nephrologist has been finalized. Starting from the New Year, two nephrology specialists will provide services together, a significant increase from the current single-doctor capacity.
Furthermore, the outpatient department (OPD) for nephrology, which currently operates only two days a week, will begin functioning six days a week from next month. Dr. Prabhat Kumar explained the impact of this expansion: "This will substantially reduce waiting time for dialysis patients and improve continuity of care for those suffering from chronic kidney diseases."
Strengthening Specialist Care to Reduce Patient Burden
The hospital's administration views these additions as essential steps to meet growing patient demand. Dr. Bimlesh Kumar Singh, the Deputy Medical Superintendent, revealed that besides the gastro surgeon and nephrologists, the hospital will soon also provide the services of a neurologist and an MD physician.
"The number of patients visiting the hospital is increasing day by day, making it necessary to strengthen the availability of specialist doctors," Dr. Singh said. He added that the addition of these services is strategically aimed at reducing the need for patients to travel to RIMS or expensive private hospitals for treatment, ensuring quality healthcare is accessible and affordable locally.
This dual expansion under the Ayushman Bharat framework marks a pivotal shift towards enhancing specialized medical infrastructure in Ranchi's government healthcare system, promising better health outcomes and financial relief for thousands of patients.
