Chandigarh: 50-bedded AYUSH hospital to be ready in 2 months

Chandigarh: In a recent review meeting held by UT health secretary Yashpal Garg, the announcement was made that a 50-bedded integrated AYUSH hospital in sector 34 would be ready in the next two months. The hospital will be the first of its kind in Chandigarh.

The meeting was scheduled to discuss the pending healthcare projects. In 2015, the centre approved a draft by the Chandigarh administration to develop a 50-bedded integrated Ayush (Ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and homeopathy) Hospital in Chandigarh to boost the Ayush infrastructure in the city.

The plan was approved by the Centre in 2019 under Under the Centre-sponsored scheme of the National AYUSH Mission (NAM) which means that is eligible to get financial assistance by submitting a suitable proposal through its State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) as per the provision of NAM guidelines. However, even after the following years, the hospital is still incomplete.

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For the project, the engineering department received Rs 1.5 crore for the construction work and an additional Rs 72 lakh to finish the project.

Garg said "The chief architect has said that the drawings for the boundary wall will be supplied within one week. The UT's chief engineer has assured us that pending construction work will be completed within two months. Directions have been issued to fast-track the project so that people can avail the facilities".

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, preparations for the project were put on hold, but now they have resumed. Only Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, and homoeopathy services will be provided at the hospital during the project's initial phase, which would see the setup of 25 beds. During the second phase, the remaining 25 beds will be installed, and Unani and Siddha techniques will also be launched.

The completion of the project will relieve many Ayush health and wellness centres (HWCs) in Chandigarh that are currently facing heavy loads of patients due to the project being delayed.

Senior homoeopathy physician and AYUSH nodal officer Dr. Manjushree told HT "Around 80% of the construction work is complete, and final touches are being made. We are working on building a boundary wall, keeper room, and parking."

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