PATNA: The new renal unit at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) is likely to become functional from the first week of August this year, much to the relief to those needing kidney transplant and other related services.“The renal unit is all set to be opened. The dialysis equipment has been installed and training of staff members for handling patients during post-operative recovery period has also been completed. We will have a fully functional dialysis unit, an operation theatre and a tissue typing unit to test the compatibility of prospective donor and recipient,” PMCH superintendent Dr Rajiv Ranjan Prasad told this newspaper on Thursday.He added, “Initially, the renal unit will function from Rajendra Surgical Block. Later on, kidney transplant will be performed in a separate superspecialty building which is under construction. The construction work is expected to be completed by October-end.”Dr Rajiv said the superspecialty complex would have a six-bed incentive care unit, which will be manned by medical experts. “Initially, the renal unit will have a transplant surgeon, nephrologist, neurologist and other medical experts. At least 88 new posts will be created later,” he added.The number of kidney cases has increased alarmingly in the state. According to a data available with PMCH, eight cases of end-stage dialysis are registered every day. According to a PMCH doctor, the end-stage dialysis cases are mostly referred for transplant as the frequency of sustaining dialysis is short and the next available alternative is only transplant.“Currently, we don’t have adequate facilities to treat more than eight patients per day. The separate unit will help us expand our services to more number of patients. After the opening of the renal unit in August, we expect to perform at least two transplants in a week and eight in a month,” the PMCH superintendent said.

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