SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Dec 23: Jharkhand Health Minister Dr Irfan Ansari will attend patients in the OPD of Dhanbad Sadar Hospital on Wednesday, marking his second such interaction at a district hospital in the state.
Dhanbad Civil Surgeon Dr Alok Vishwakarma said the district health department has received official communication from the health minister confirming his visit and OPD duty at the hospital.
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Second OPD visit by the health minister
This will be the second time that Dr Ansari attends patients in an OPD setting. Earlier, on December 3, he had visited Jamshedpur Sadar Hospital, where he spent around 15 minutes in the OPD and examined seven patients.
Sources said the minister was given the option of attending OPD patients either at Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College and Hospital (SNMMCH) or at the Sadar Hospital, but he chose the district hospital.
Patient load at Sadar Hospital
Deputy Superintendent Dr Sanjeev Kumar said that between 175 and 190 patients visit the Sadar Hospital OPD during the first session, which runs from 9.30 am to 2 pm.
He added that even the Civil surgeon, Dr Alok Vishwakarma, is listed in the duty roster and regularly attends patients.
The visit is expected to give the minister first-hand insight into patient flow, infrastructure, and service delivery at the district hospital.
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Doctors and staff upbeat ahead of visit
Doctors and paramedical staff at Dhanbad Sadar Hospital expressed enthusiasm ahead of the minister’s OPD visit.
“Working alongside the health minister in the OPD will be an honour for us. It will also allow him to see the conditions under which we are providing services to patients,” a doctor said.
The hospital has been decked up ahead of the visit, as Dr Ansari is keen on upgrading district hospitals and bringing them on par with corporate healthcare facilities.
