Health Dept plans to relocate critical care unit out of Muktsar

The Health Department’s decision to shift the proposed 50-bed critical care unit (CCU) from Muktsar city to Gidderbaha has not gone down well with the residents. The CCU will be built under the Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).

Sham Lal Goyal, Muktsar district president of the National Consumer Awareness Group, said, “As per norms, 13 CCUs are to be established at the district headquarters. However, the proposed CCU for Muktsar city is being shifted to Gidderbaha, citing lack of space.”

Goyal said, “Several plots belonging to the state government were vacant in Muktsar city along the Kotkapura road, Tibbi Sahib road and Bathinda road. If the government transfers the land from one department to the other, the CCU can be built at the district headquarters.”

BJP leader Rahul Singh Sidhu said, “The CCU and laboratories are to be set up by the Centre. This health facility should not be shifted as the population of Muktsar city is three times that of Gidderbaha subdivision. I urge the local MLA to raise the issue with senior officials.”

Dr Jagdeep Chawla, Chief Medical Officer, Muktsar, said, “The CCUs are being built with funds received from the Centre. Recently, we got a letter from the Health Director to find suitable land for the CCU. As we don’t have vacant land available at civil hospitals in Muktsar and Malout, we have recommended the name of Gidderbaha Civil Hospital. Once built, this CCU will be used for isolation of patients in critical condition.”