The healthcare sector in Patna is being assessed enormously like every other state capitals of the country.Here comes the role of an area in the capital which has been popular for being one of the largest colonies in Asia, Kankarbagh.Kankarbagh displayed an urban blend of residential colonies in the past. But as time shifts, it has also evolved drastically in the Health Sector with countless numbers of Private Hospitals and Clinics. The province retains medical facilities of all sorts and hosts specialists like Cardiologist, Orthopedist, Neurologists, Dermatologist, Physicians, Psychiatrists, Chiropractors, Endocrinologists, Gastroenterologists, Gynecologists, Oncologists, Radiologists, Dentists, General Surgeons and many more.It now also proudly holds one of the biggest contemporary built Hospitals in the city, with a striking huge facade, Jai Prabha Medanta. Kankarbagh with its rapidly progressing number of Medical Centres be it Hospitals, Clinics or Laboratories, could evolve as the Rising Medical Hub for the state and contribute a crucial role in stabilising the health sector of Bihar.While the whole world is in the midst of dealing with the raging pandemic, Patna while clutching down all the hefty names like AIIMS, PMCH, NMCH, PARAS, etc, and embarking on its available resources to endure the ongoing Health Crisis. Jai Prabha Medanta could be a cherry on the top, if operated at its prime, with its towering massive and modern infrastructure.In addition, Medanta will also be paying a premium of 1% of its total annual revenue to the health department of Bihar after running full-fledged along with 25% of its beds will be reserved for the poor, and they will be charged under the CGHS scheme at the hospital, says CMO.However, the irony is that it isn't utilizing its gigantic 10-floor building to host a substantial number of COVID patients than restricting the figure of available beds to barely 50 for mild patients only. It is expected to extend the number of beds in the mid of July this year after realising that it is an ongoing National Health Emergency.The locality further carries out one of the oldest hospitals, Mahavir Arogya Sansthan, a charitable philanthropic state of the art organisation started by Acharya Kishore Kunal to help everyone irrespective of their economic status to get ultra-modern treatment and medications. The Sansthan is controlled by Mahavir Temple Trust, Patna. It is the second biggest Cancer Hospital in North India.This neighbourhood not only plays a significant role in improving health services but also boosts the economy of the state. The establishment of the medical centres has immensely helped in the expansion of restaurants, cafes, roadside stalls, Hotels, Rest Houses, Showrooms, Shopping centres and plenty more. These all collectively generate a significant number of employment and revenue which in itself is a huge achievement as a locality but also helps the state prosper. But this wasn't the case since the beginning. Kankarbagh was not always sought out for the skill and expertise of its medical facilities and it took a long time to evolve.There has been a 200% increase in the number of medical facility centres in Kankarbagh from 2011-2021 according to the report of IGIMS, Patna. It therefore, verifies the interest of Investors and Doctors to establish themselves in the colony.This makes the address Kankarbagh fill with more than 250 Hospitals in an area of 5 sqkm. Kankarbagh is also home to the Patliputra Sports Complex and a ton of public parks in all the narrow corridors of the locality which is a remarkable accessory and plays a very vital role in the health sector. The sports complex is also recently being used as a COVID relief centre amid Coronavirus.This article not only recognises the achievement of the state, in helping Kankarbagh getting established as a Medical Hub gradually. But also believes that Bihar still needs to tackle several issues, including slow infrastructural development of other districts, accreditations and promotions, insurance, medical waste and allied services.Eliminating these barriers will ensure a full-fledged growth of the medical tourism industry in the State.(Views expressed in Citizen Junction columns are that of the author and solely of the author. Jaano Junction only provides the platform to publish your thoughts, opinions and concerns.)
