Banaras Hindu University (BHU) on Friday decided to hand over extra beds and facilities to the cardiology department of the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), after the department head had threatened to launch a fast-unto-death to press for the demand.

Senior physician and head of the cardiology department, Dr Om Shankar, had written to BHU vice-chancellor S.K. Jain about his planned fast from Friday to demand more patient-care facilities.

The IMS got a new super speciality block in 2022. During the construction of the new block, it was decided that around 90 beds on the fourth floor and half of the space on the fifth floor would be allocated to the cardiology department. However, the decision was not honoured. The cardiology department has been running from the old building with 47 beds.

Shankar was supposed to start the fast from 2pm on Friday. IMS director S.N. Sankhwar held a meeting before Shankar started his fast.

“It has been decided that the cardiology department will get the full fourth floor and half of the fifth floor. This issue has been addressed,” Shankar told The Telegraph.