Patna,(BiharTimes): Strictly speaking it can not be called as inspection as Lalu Prasad holds no official position in the state government. At best it can be called a high-profile surprise visit to Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences in Patna on Sunday evening.
His visit to a premier government-run health hub is likely to cause murmuring as there is no dearth of people who may call it an interference by an extra-constitutional authority.
After reaching IGIMS––following his private visit to Paras HMRI in the vicinity––the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief called his eldest son and Bihar health minister, Tej Pratap Yadav. Lalu then reportedly reminded him that as the chairperson of its board of governors, he should keep inspecting IGIMS regularly.
Lalu went around the emergency and the outdoor patient department and spoke to some of the patients and their relatives, who complained about lack of sanitation and proper upkeep of washrooms. He also visited toilets in the Institute which he found dirty and the taps were broken.
He recalled days he had spent in this hospital and enquired about the ward where he was admitted when he was in jail in a fodder scam case around 15 years ago.
As it was Sunday evening, IGIMS director Dr N K Biswas was not in his office. He reached there after he was asked by Lalu’s aide to come and had one-hour-long meeting with Lalu.
RJD chief reportedly enquired about the pace of renovation of wards, installation of lift and other amenities.
Dr Biswas reportedly told him that kidney transplants would start by the end of this month or early next month.
Lalu reportedly asked Biswas about the specific needs of the hospital and the medical college running there.
The director reportedly told him that the construction of a new college building is getting delayed because only Rs 40 crore has been released so far against the sanctioned sum of Rs 150 crore.
Dr Biswas also informed the RJD chief that several works related to improvement in infrastructure could not be completed due to lack of funds. Therefore, the medical college often earns the wrath of Medical Council of India.