The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has put forward a significant proposal to establish a 100-bed Critical Care Unit (CCU) at Swami Dayanand Hospital, operating under the central government's PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM). This initiative aims to address the escalating demand for advanced medical services in the region.
Project Details and Timeline
In a recent submission to the Delhi government, the civic body outlined that the project is estimated to cost Rs 117 crore and is slated for completion within a 15-month timeframe. The proposal highlights the urgent need for enhanced healthcare infrastructure to support the growing patient load.
Hospital's Current Role and Challenges
An official from MCD emphasized that Swami Dayanand Hospital serves as the largest district hospital under its jurisdiction, functioning as a major referral center for East Delhi and adjacent areas of Uttar Pradesh. The facility currently handles over 3,000 outpatient department (OPD) patients daily, approximately 2,800 inpatient department (IPD) admissions monthly, and nearly 10,000 emergency cases each month.
The official noted, "A substantial proportion of these patients require advanced critical care services. At present, the existing ICU, NICU, and HDU facilities at the hospital are inadequate to meet the growing demand for critical care, which often leads to referrals to tertiary care hospitals—a situation that was starkly exposed during the Covid-19 pandemic."
Proposed Facility Features
According to the MCD proposal, land within the hospital campus has been identified for the construction of the CCU. The new facility is designed to include:
- 20 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds
- 20 High Dependency Unit (HDU) beds
- Paediatric beds and isolation beds with dedicated rooms
- Comprehensive emergency services
- A dialysis unit
- Maternal and child health services
- Operation theatres
- Point-of-care diagnostics
- Essential support infrastructure such as MGPS oxygen supply, negative pressure systems, and fire safety measures
Background of PM-ABHIM
Launched on October 25, 2021, PM-ABHIM is a central scheme aimed at expanding and strengthening primary healthcare institutions across India. It focuses on enhancing disease surveillance systems through the construction of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, public health labs, and critical care facilities like the proposed CCU at Swami Dayanand Hospital.
This development is expected to significantly improve healthcare accessibility and quality for residents in East Delhi and neighboring regions, reducing the need for referrals to tertiary hospitals and bolstering the overall public health infrastructure in the capital.
