Mahendragarh Civil Hospital’s new building awaits funds for completion

The state government had upgraded the 50-bedded Civil Hospital in Mahendragarh city to a 100-bedded facility several years ago, but the new hospital building remains incomplete due to lack of funds, causing delays in the expansion of medical services.

The district authorities have submitted re-revised cost estimates to the state government requesting for the necessary funds to ensure the building’s early completion; however, the proposal has been pending causing resentment among locals.

“The state government granted the administrative approval for the construction of a new building for the 100-bedded hospital in 2019, with an initial budget of Rs 17.84 crore. Subsequently, the estimated cost was increased to Rs 45 crore following revisions of the building plan. A tender for the construction was issued in 2021, with a two-year deadline; however, the building is still incomplete,” said an official from the Public Works Department (PWD), speaking on condition of anonymity.

He explained the primary reasons for the delay were the revisions of the building plan and getting approval for the funds. “An additional Rs 23 crore is now required to complete the construction as per the revised plan, and the process to secure these funds is currently underway,” the official added.

Ashwani Gahlawat, Executive Engineer (PWD), said while the structural framework of the building has been completed, the estimated cost for the remaining work has been calculated and sent to the state government for approval.

“The initial deadline for completing the building was two years, but delays occurred due to some technical reasons. Recently, the building plan was revised again to accommodate future requirements and expanding medical needs. Now, the total re-revised cost estimates of the project is over Rs 68 crore, out of which Rs 45 crore has already been received. A re-revised cost estimate is pending with the state government for approval,” Gahlawat added.

Dr Ashok Kumar, Civil Surgeon at Narnaul, stated that although the required numbers of doctors for a 100-bedded hospital were already available at the Civil Hospital in Mahendragarh city, several new medical facilities could be introduced once the new building was completed.

Sharing details of the proposed healthcare services, he mentioned that the facilities such as an intensive care unit, sick newborn care unit, trauma centre, blood bank, ultrasound, and MRI services were planned to be established in the new hospital building.

“We are confident of receiving the necessary budget approval from the state government at the earliest, Health Minister Arti Singh Rao is pursuing the matter. Construction work will resume as soon as the funds are sanctioned,” said Dr Ashok.

Pradeep Kumar, a resident, emphasized that the completion of the 100-bedded hospital building in Mahendragarh had become the need of the hour to expand healthcare services in the city. He pointed out that due to the lack of essential medical facilities, even basic services like ultrasound, the residents were often forced to travel to Narnaul or other cities for treatment at government hospitals.

“Those who can afford it often turn to private hospitals, as the current Civil Hospital in Mahendragarh lacks adequate infrastructure and services. Therefore, it is imperative that the state government releases the remaining budget without further delay to ensure the early completion of this much-needed project,” Kumar added.