Nilokheri's 30-Bed Hospital Struggles to Meet Demand as 100-Bed Project Delayed

Karnal: Haryana's Nilokheri continues to face significant healthcare challenges as the much-anticipated 100-bed Sub-Divisional Civil Hospital project remains stalled. Currently, a 30-bed hospital operates out of the Community Health Centre (CHC) building, which falls short of addressing the increasing healthcare demands.

Health officials have raised alarm over the severe overcrowding in the CHC building, where two to four doctors are squeezed into a single room to attend outpatient department (OPD) cases. An official stated that post-operative patients lack separate rooms, increasing the risk of nosocomial infections. 

The 100-bed Sub-Divisional Civil Hospital was first announced by former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on September 13, 2017, and the project was approved on June 10, 2019. However, the construction halted after the assigned agency abandoned work midway. Despite completing about 70% of the construction, there has been no progress for months.

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In response to the stalled work, authorities are now planning to re-tender the project. Speaking to Tribune India, Rishi Sachdeva, XEN, PWD (B&R) said, “We have sent a proposal for terminating the current tender and are evaluating the remaining work. Once terminated, the re-tendering process will begin.”

Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh confirmed these steps, stating that the XEN has been directed to ensure efficient re-tendering and maintain quality in the remaining work.

Residents are growing increasingly frustrated with the delays and staff shortages at the hospital. Amit Kumar, a resident, stated that the current staff strength is significantly below the sanctioned number, forcing patients to seek treatment at higher centres.

According to data the current facility is operating with severe staff shortages. Despite the sanctioned strength of 152 posts for doctors, paramedical staff, and other essential workers, only 72 positions are filled, leaving 80 posts vacant. This includes critical roles like the Deputy Medical Superintendent, with both of these positions still unfilled. Out of the 42 sanctioned medical posts, only 13 are occupied, severely affecting the capacity to provide adequate care.

The hospital is also facing a shortage of essential specialists and staff in key departments. Critical positions, including the senior dental surgeon, one of the two dental surgeons, clinical psychologist, physiotherapist, audiometrician, and matron, remain vacant. Additionally, only two of the five nursing sister posts are filled, with three still unoccupied. The hospital is also short of six out of ten lab technicians, three staff nurses, and one of the three ECG technicians, which hampers the provision of round-the-clock emergency lab services.

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According to Tribune India, Dr Ravinder Sandhu, Deputy Civil Surgeon, informed, “We are in regular contact with PWD officials regarding the project. The vacant posts of doctors are likely to be filled soon.”