Super Speciality Block of North Bengal Medical College Hospital to get revamp at cost of Rs 1 crore

Siliguri: Taking note that the Super Speciality block of North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) is facing significant issues with damaged wards even before becoming fully functional, the state government has sanctioned Rs 1 crore to renovate the damaged wards.

The construction of the super speciality block at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital began in 2015 after the Union Ministry of Health approved Rs 150 crore for the project in 2014.

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However, the block is not yet fully functional and the wards are structurally damaged. As per a Millennium Post news report, the new block has been found to have severe damage, particularly in the false ceilings of many wards. Parts of these ceilings have come loose, posing a potential risk to patients and staff.

The Central agency responsible for the construction of the building has denied any further responsibility after the handover promoting the state government to step in and sanction the amount for renovation.

The six-storied building, covering an area of 15,000 square meters, will house a total of six departments. These departments include Cardiology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Pediatrics Surgery, Urology, and Plastic Surgery.

In 2018, the government cancelled the contract and placed the company on a blacklist due to their failure to complete the construction work on schedule. Subsequently, a new tender was issued. In 2022, the outdoor section of the Super Specialty block was inaugurated. Later, the building was handed over to the NBMCH authorities last year.

However, Kaustav Nayek, Director of Medical Education (DME) last month gave a green signal to the hospital about shifting their wards to the new block but the super specialty block is not yet functional as it is facing structural damages.

Dr Sanjay Mallick, the Superintendent of NBMCH told the Daily, “The Central agency constructed the building about a year ago. They have already clarified that after the handover, they will not take any responsibility for the building. The state government has, therefore sanctioned Rs 1 crore for the renovation work. We will start the indoor wards after the renovation."

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