PMCH centenary celebration: President Murmu calls for embracing AI, Robotics in treatment
Cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Indore have developed as centres for specialty treatment. Bihar should also develop many such centers, says President
President Droupadi Murmu on February 25 stressed on the need for using modern technology like artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to make medical process simpler and more accurate.
Addressing the centenary celebration of the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna, the President commended the Bihar government for improvement in medical infrastructure but stressed that there was need to do a lot. The president suggested that Patna should develop specialty healthcare facilities in lines with the cities like Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Indore.
She pointed out that going to another city or state for treatment affects in many ways such as delays in treatment, problems of food, accommodation and employment. This also overburdens the medical institutions of major cities. Decentralisation of good medical institutions across the country would prove to help solve all these problems.
Cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Indore have developed as centres for specialty treatment. Bihar should also develop many such centers. This would not only provide good medical treatment to the people of Bihar but will also boost the economy of the state. PMCH and its alumni can greatly contribute to this endeavour with their experience, she added.
Murmu pointed out that technology was playing an important role in the medical field as well. Technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Robotics are making the medical process simpler and more accurate. She urged all stakeholders of PMCH to always be ready to adopt the latest technologies. She said that it would not only make the treatment easier but would also increase doctors’ knowledge and efficiency.
“Our doctors are researchers, therapists, teachers and counselors as well. In all these roles, they serve the people and society and contribute to nation building,” she said. The president urged them to make people aware of the importance of blood and organ donation.
The President praised PMCH’s contributions, describing it as a precious heritage of Bihar. She particularly lauded the achievements of the hospital and its doctors, citing Dr Dukhan Ram’s contributions to ophthalmic surgery and Dr CP Thakur’s research on kala azar. “PMCH has a glorious history of producing exceptional doctors who have made major contributions in the medical field across the world,” Murmu said.
During the event, she was presented with a rare photograph of Mahatma Gandhi from the time he visited PMCH while his niece was undergoing treatment. She was also gifted a Madhubani painting by Padma Shri recipient Dr Shanti Roy.
History of PMCH
Patna Medical College, Patna was established as Temple Medical School in 1874 with the admission of 30 student with fees of Rs. 2/- only per students for whole course. This trend continued till 1925. After that Temple Medical School was shifted to Darbhanga and in its place a Medical College known as The Prince of Wales Medical College, was established. Formal inauguration of this Medical College was done on 25th February 1925.
Various building were constructed by the donations from Princely states of Bihar. The first batch of 35 students were transferred from Medical College Bengal (Presently Calcutta Medical College, Calcutta) to Prince of Wales Medical College, Patna. This medical college can rightly claim to be the torch bearer of medical education in Bihar. Post graduate courses were started in 1932. Postgraduate teaching in Orthopedics, Physiology, Gynecology and Radiotherapy were first started in this institution in the whole undivided India. Vertical and Horizontal integrated teaching and weekly seminars are the regular feature in this institution.
Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) is the mainstay for medical education and treatment to the masses, not only to this state, but the adjoining area of the neighboring states. Patna Medical College, Patna has a glorious past and a bright future. Patna Medical College is now affiliated from Aryabhatta Knowledge University, Patna
PMCH was the sixth oldest Medical College of British India which comprised of present day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
