PMCH Patna launches 20-bed dengue ward ahead of monsoon season

Patna: With dengue cases expected to rise during the monsoon season, Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) has established a dedicated 20-bed dengue ward to strengthen its preparedness and ensure timely treatment for infected patients. 

The initiative comes as the Bihar health department scales up statewide surveillance and vector-control measures to curb the spread of dengue and chikungunya, reports TOI. 

The isolation ward has been set up in the hospital's Rajendra Surgical Block (RSB) and is equipped with essential facilities, including insecticide-treated mosquito nets, to minimise the risk of mosquito-borne transmission within the hospital premises.

According to PMCH Superintendent Dr Rajiva Kumar Singh, a dedicated team of doctors and healthcare personnel has been assigned to provide round-the-clock medical care to patients admitted to the ward. The hospital has also enhanced its diagnostic capacity through its newly constructed radiology building, enabling quicker screening and faster clinical management of suspected dengue cases.

The initiative is part of a broader preparedness strategy being implemented across Bihar as the state government intensifies efforts to tackle seasonal mosquito-borne diseases.

As part of the campaign, 318 fogging machines have been deployed to reduce mosquito populations in vulnerable areas.

Officials also stated that adequate stocks of diagnostic kits have been supplied to district hospitals and government medical colleges to facilitate timely diagnosis. In addition, entomological surveillance has been strengthened to identify mosquito breeding sites and monitor disease trends, allowing authorities to respond more effectively to potential outbreaks.

The health department has designated July as Anti-Dengue Month and launched a statewide public awareness campaign encouraging preventive measures against dengue transmission.

The intensified drive follows a recent review meeting chaired by Bihar Health Minister Shri Nishant Kumar, who instructed district administrations and medical colleges to remain fully prepared during the monsoon season. He directed officials to ensure uninterrupted availability of medicines and testing kits while maintaining strict disease surveillance to enable prompt detection and management of dengue and other vector-borne infections.