Shekhar Hospital

In the Sheikhpura area of Patna, specifically around Patna-14, this hospital is a well-known spot for the locals. We are situated right where the road gets narrow and the shops are close together. The building itself is made of concrete and has some green paint around the window frames. Inside, the tile floor is a bit worn down in the center from all the walking. We have a lot of benches in the waiting hall because it gets crowded in the early hours. The air smells like incense from the small shrine near the door and a bit of floor cleaner. We have a big desk for the nurses where they keep all their pens and charts. It’s usually quite loud with people talking and phones ringing. The fans on the ceiling spin fast to keep the Patna heat away. Sometimes the water dispenser runs out, and we have to wait for the new bottles to arrive. The rooms are simple, just beds and a small locker for belongings. We’ve got a narrow balcony on the second floor where you can see the rickshaws passing by below. It’s a busy place, but we have a routine that keeps things moving along. Most of the families who come here have been living in Sheikhpura for generations. We don't have much fancy decor, just a few calendars on the wall and some old wooden chairs in the office. It is just a normal, working hospital.