SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, August 19: The Superspecialty Hospital of Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College Hospital (SNMMCH), Dhanbad, will start nephrology OPD services from August 23.
For now, the facility will be available once a week, every Saturday. Renowned nephrologist Dr. Aftab from Giridih has agreed to provide his services and will attend the OPD from 9 am to 3 pm.
With this, SNMMCH becomes the second medical college in Jharkhand after Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi, to offer outpatient services for kidney patients.
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Status of Nephrology Services in Jharkhand
While Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College Hospital (MGMMCH), Jamshedpur, also runs a superspecialty hospital, it currently provides OPD services only in neurology and cardiology.
Other government medical colleges—Phulo Jhano Medical College Hospital (PJMCH) Dumka, Shaikh Bhikhari Medical College Hospital (SBMCH) Hazaribagh, and Medinirai Medical College Hospital (MMCH) Palamu—do not yet offer specialized treatment facilities for kidney patients.
Expanding Services for Patients
SNMMCH Principal Dr. S.K. Chourasia and Superintendent Dr. Dinesh Kumar Gindauria stated that OPD services are already being provided in six departments at the superspecialty hospital, and more specialties will be added soon in the interest of patients.
The new nephrology OPD is expected to cater to patients from at least eight districts, including Bokaro, Dhanbad, Giridih, Jamtara, Dumka, and other areas of Santhal Pargana.
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Future Plans and Indoor Facility
Nodal Officer of the superspecialty hospital, Dr. Ravi Bhushan, said that due to Dr. Aftab’s busy schedule, the OPD will initially function only one day a week. However, efforts are underway to increase the number of OPD days, and an indoor facility is planned to start from September.
He also revealed that a Neurosurgery OT is in the pipeline for the superspecialty wing. “Neurosurgeon Dr. Rajesh Kumar has already been serving at the college hospital for the last five months. His attachment with the superspecialty wing will further enhance the quality of services for patients,” Dr. Bhushan added.
