The city capital is set to get its first geriatric ward which is expected to be operational at the Sadar hospital latest by January next year.
Sources in the health department said that the 10-bed geriatric ward at Sadar hospital will be set-up under National Programme for Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE).
The concept of NPHEC was launched in 2010-2011 by then UPA government at centre with a view to provide separate and specialized comprehensive health care facilities to senior citizens at various levels of state health care delivery system including outreach services.
The health care facilities offered at geriatric ward either free or highly subsidised.
“This will be exclusively for elderly persons 60 years and above who need intensive care. Five beds will be reserved for women and rest for men. The two beds will be equipped with advance equipment of life support system for critical patients. We are planning to set-up geriatric ward at third floor of the new building of the hospital,” sources in the health department informed The Pioneer.
Last year, the health department had taken a decision to set-up geriatric ward at Sadar hospitals across 24 districts. Geriatric ward is already functioning at Patliputra Medical College Hospital (PMCH) in Dhanbad and BokaroSadar hospital which was inaugurated earlier this month. A month back JamtaraSadar hospital also came-up with seven bed ward. As per the plan it was decided all districts will set-up before December last year.
It will have a separate OPD and registration counter. At present, elderly patients have to struggle hard to get registration and other medical care at OPDs.
“On an average over 200 elderly patients visit Sadar hospital for treatment. In some cases, we found the patient is highly traumatized due to poor treatment given by the family members and even thrown out of their house. Such patients need care both emotionally and medically. The geriatric ward will fulfil the purpose of care and protection of elderly persons,” said an official of Sadar hospital.