In a major step toward improving healthcare infrastructure, the Jharkhand government has ordered the comprehensive renovation and restructuring of RIMS (Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences) and all state-run medical colleges and hospitals. Buildings deemed unsafe or “condemned” will be demolished, while damaged but repairable structures will undergo immediate restoration.
The directive, issued by Ajay Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Health, Medical Education & Family Welfare, mandates urgent action within three days.
No Repeat of Jamshedpur Incident: Strict Orders for Structural Safety
This decisive move follows safety concerns raised by incidents like the recent mishap in Jamshedpur, which highlighted the deteriorating state of medical infrastructure in the state.
In a formal letter addressed to RIMS and all other medical colleges and hospitals, Singh instructed administrators to carry out joint inspections with Executive Engineers from the Building Construction Department. Any building found unsafe or meeting all criteria for condemnation is to be officially declared “condemned” and demolished.
“The goal is to ensure no repeat of preventable tragedies caused by crumbling infrastructure,” stated Singh in the directive.
Repairs to Be Funded Through Existing Schemes
For buildings that require repairs rather than demolition, the letter outlines that restoration can be undertaken through various funding sources, including:
- Mukhyamantri Chikitsa Mahavidyalaya evam Aspatal Prabandhan evam Anurakshan Yojana
- Insurance claims received under various state health insurance schemes
If additional funds are required, hospitals and colleges have been instructed to submit fund requisition requests directly to the department.
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All institutions have been given a strict deadline of three days to comply with the order and submit a comprehensive compliance report to the department.
A Systemic Overhaul Across Jharkhand’s Medical Institutions
This directive is part of a larger state-level initiative to modernize healthcare delivery and ensure structural integrity across Jharkhand’s public health institutions, with RIMS Ranchi being the flagship medical college in focus.
The move is also expected to enhance the operational efficiency of hospitals, improve patient safety, and build public confidence in the state’s medical education and treatment systems.
