Ludhiana: After a long and difficult “gestation” period involving multiple missed deadlines, the 100-bed expansion of the Mother and Child Hospital is finally expected to be delivered by late March.The critical expansion promises to double the facility’s capacity and provide relief to a healthcare system currently struggling under the weight of nearly 1,000 deliveries a month. After missing multiple deadlines since mid-2023, the Punjab Health System Corporation (PHSC) now expects the 100-bed extension to be operational by March 31.
The project, which began on April 7, 2022, was originally slated for completion in July 2023. Since then, the construction has been plagued by setbacks. “The deadline for the MCH upgrade is March 31,” said the civil surgeon, Dr Ramandeep Kaur. “While the concerned agency has missed several deadlines already, we are hopeful they will finally hand over the completed facility this time.”Officials report that between 85% and 90% of the work is now finished. The expansion adds significant medical real estate to the existing 2014-era facility. Key features of the new “F-Block” and main building extension include new medical units (three modern labour rooms, a pre-delivery room, and a dedicated operating theatre) and increased ward space (a 42,000-square-foot expansion on the second floor of the main building).This is besides six new general wards and 16 private wards, collectively housing an additional 100 beds. Post-construction plans include the installation of specialized maternal health technology to modernise patient care. Hospital staff describe a facility currently pushed to its breaking point. While the hospital was designed to handle the city’s needs a decade ago, the volume of patients has since skyrocketed.Against a current bed capacity of 100, the monthly deliveries are in the range of 800 to 1,000. The proposed total capacity will still be only 200 beds. The hospital was built in 2014. “The staff is managing the rush with great difficulty,” a hospital official said. “A 100-bed facility might have been enough in 2014, but we need at least double that today.”Public Demand for Better CareResidents, particularly from lower- and middle-income families who rely heavily on the public health center, have called on the government to ensure no further delays occur. “For a city the size of Ludhiana, 100 beds is simply inadequate,” said local resident Amarjeet Kaur. “The govt should improve this infrastructure; it is the only option for many families.”In addition to the physical building, health officials have stressed that the govt must also authorise adequate staffing to manage the expanded wing effectively.
