Four Jharkhand hospitals to offer treatment for 21 critical diseases

Ranchi: The Jharkhand health department has decided to make treatment for 21 serious diseases available within the state, removing the need for patients to travel outside the state for advanced medical care.

The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Department, Ajay Kumar Singh, at his office. It was resolved that comprehensive treatment facilities for all 21 critical diseases will be developed at four major government hospitals, including Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi; Shaheed Nirmal Mahto Memorial Medical College and Hospital, Dhanbad; Sadar Hospital, Ranchi; and MGM Medical College and Hospital, Jamshedpur, news agency UNI reported.

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The scheme covers treatment for all types of cancer, kidney transplant, severe liver diseases, acid attack injuries, and rare disorders such as Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome, thalassaemia and other blood dyscrasias, and conditions requiring bone marrow transplant. It also covers advanced surgical and critical care procedures such as plastic and reconstructive surgery for post-trauma deformities and burn cases, retinal detachment surgery, serious head injury management with craniotomy and critical care, coronary artery bypass grafting with intra-aortic balloon pump (CABG IABP), and continuous renal replacement therapy in ICU patients with acute renal failure.

Further, the scheme provides coverage for proliferative diabetic retinopathy, tracheo-oesophageal fistula surgery, meningoencephalocele surgery, penetrating keratoplasty, brain haemorrhage, and a wide range of congenital deformities, including facial clefts, microtia, hemifacial microsomia, Treacher Collins syndrome, craniosynostosis, and ectopia vesicae. High-end interventions such as cochlear implants, treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma are also included.

The Additional Chief Secretary said, "All necessary infrastructure and facilities would be ensured so that treatment for the 21 identified serious diseases is accessible within the state. In addition to the four government hospitals, treatment will also be provided at four major private hospitals in state. Hospitals coming forward for this initiative will be equipped with the required facilities, and treatment packages for various diseases have already been finalised", reports UNI.

He further stated that treatment for these serious diseases will be provided under the Chief Minister Abua Health Security Scheme, with predefined packages to ensure hassle-free access to quality healthcare for patients.

Special emphasis was also laid on the treatment of sickle cell anaemia. The Additional Chief Secretary directed that comprehensive facilities be developed at Sadar Hospital, and informed that an MoU will be signed with CMC Vellore to enable bone marrow transplants in Ranchi itself.

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