| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Patna Medical College and Hospital |
| Commonly Known As | PMCH |
| Country | India |
| State | Bihar |
| City | Patna |
| Field | Medical Education and Healthcare |
| Institution Type | Government Medical College and Hospital |
| Affiliation | Aryabhatta Knowledge University (AKU), Bihar |
| Governing Body | Government of Bihar, Health Department |
Overview
Patna Medical College and Hospital, widely referred to as PMCH, is one of the oldest and most prominent government medical institutions in the state of Bihar and among the historically significant medical colleges in eastern India. Located in Patna, the state capital, the institution serves a dual purpose as both a teaching college for undergraduate and postgraduate medical education and as a major public referral hospital catering to patients from across Bihar and neighbouring states. PMCH holds a central place in Bihar's public health infrastructure and has trained generations of medical professionals who have gone on to serve across India and abroad.
History and Background
The origins of Patna Medical College date to the colonial period, making it one of the earlier medical institutions established in the Bihar region under British administration. It was set up to address the growing need for trained medical personnel and organised healthcare in the region. Over the decades following Indian independence in 1947, the college expanded its academic programmes and hospital facilities considerably under the administration of the Bihar state government. The institution has witnessed several phases of renovation, expansion, and administrative restructuring, reflecting the broader development of public health policy in Bihar.
The college has historically been affiliated with Patna University before the establishment of dedicated health sciences universities in Bihar. It is presently affiliated with Aryabhatta Knowledge University, which oversees medical and technical education in the state.
Academics
PMCH offers the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree as its primary undergraduate programme. Postgraduate medical education is offered across a range of clinical and non-clinical specialisations, leading to the Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Master of Surgery (MS) degrees. The college also offers diploma programmes in several medical disciplines.
Academic programmes at PMCH are regulated by the National Medical Commission (NMC), the apex statutory body governing medical education in India. Admissions to the MBBS programme are conducted through the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG), administered at the national level, with seats allocated through the Bihar state counselling process for government medical colleges.
Departments
The college houses a broad range of academic and clinical departments covering the major branches of medicine and surgery. These include, among others:
- General Medicine and its sub-specialities
- General Surgery
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Paediatrics
- Orthopaedics
- Ophthalmology
- Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)
- Psychiatry
- Radiology and Imaging
- Pathology, Microbiology, and Biochemistry
- Community Medicine and Preventive Health
Hospital and Clinical Training
The hospital attached to the college, commonly referred to simply as PMCH Hospital, functions as a major tertiary care public hospital in Bihar. It receives a very high volume of patients, particularly from rural and semi-urban areas of the state who are referred from district hospitals and primary health centres. The hospital provides largely subsidised or free treatment to patients under various state and central government health schemes.
Clinical training for MBBS and postgraduate students is conducted within the hospital wards, operation theatres, outpatient departments, and diagnostic units. The high patient load, while placing pressure on infrastructure, also provides students with substantial clinical exposure across a wide spectrum of medical conditions, including tropical diseases, nutritional disorders, and obstetric emergencies that are prevalent in the region.
Campus and Facilities
The PMCH campus is situated in central Patna and encompasses the college building, hospital blocks, lecture halls, laboratories, a library, and residential accommodation for students, resident doctors, and faculty. The campus has undergone periodic upgrades, and the Bihar government has at various times announced modernisation projects aimed at improving infrastructure, adding new wards, and upgrading diagnostic equipment.
Admissions
Admission to the MBBS programme is entirely merit-based through NEET-UG scores. Postgraduate admissions follow NEET-PG results and state-level counselling. Reservations applicable under Bihar state policy are observed for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, other backward classes, and other eligible categories.
Student Life
Students at PMCH participate in academic societies, cultural events, and sports activities organised within the college. The institution has a student union and various departmental clubs. Given its long history, PMCH has a notable alumni network spread across medical institutions, government health services, and private practice both within India and internationally.