Health Minister inaugurates 30-bed hospital

After a gap of 10 years, the Urban Community Health Centre (UCHC) at Civil Surgeon Office was inaugurated by Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Friday. In the first phase, the hospital will operate with 10 beds and later will be expanded to 30 beds. Th plan is also to start a free dialysis centre with the help of a NGO. The hospital will be operational 24X7.

Currently, two medical officers will be running this 10-bed hospital. In addition to them, one staff nurse, one pharmacists and one class IV have been deputed here. Currently, the staff will be working on deputation.

With Health Department already reeling under staff shortage and another hospital added, it will only add to the workload till the staff is appointed for UCHC.

Keeping in view the rush of patients at Civil Hospital, this UCHC was built in 2014 but could never be started due to staff shortage and currently a ESIC dispensary and Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT clinic) is being operative here. In addition to this, few rooms were occupied by officials clerical staff, which have now been shifted.

This building has been constructed at a cost of Rs 4.25 crore and will offer quality Medical services to the people of nearby locality including daily general OPD, emergency, dental, Mother and Child services, EYE, X-rays and basic lab tests.

The minister also added that till next year, five health centres will be opened for the public so that people can avail quality medical services to the people near their localities. He stated that 17 new doctors have already been appointed for Ludhiana and 24-hours emergency medical services will be ensured at the district hospitals.

He said by January 2025, the Ludhiana Civil Hospital will be transformed into a state-of-the-art medical facility, offering services comparable to private corporate hospitals.

Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora announced Rs 10 lakh for the hospital and a new hi-tech ambulance for Ludhiana West Constituency.