In a significant move to address the critical shortage of emergency care facilities, the Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS) in Lucknow is on the verge of operationalising a new, fully-equipped emergency ward. The addition, slated to begin admitting patients from the New Year, promises to bring major relief to the overburdened institute.
New Facility to Tackle Persistent Bed Shortage
The newly constructed ward, situated adjacent to the main emergency department, is almost ready for launch. It will add 45 beds to the institute's capacity, all fitted with an oxygen pipeline and essential life-saving medical equipment. Officials confirmed that the procurement process for the beds is in its final stages.
Currently, RMLIMS has 48 oxygen-supported beds and a 30-bed ICU in its emergency setup. However, this has proven insufficient to handle the heavy influx of patients. Prof CM Singh, Director of RMLIMS, highlighted the severity of the situation, stating that even critically ill patients often face referral to other hospitals due to the lack of available beds.
Major Boost in Overall Emergency Capacity
Prof Singh explained that the decision to construct the additional ward was taken earlier this year, keeping in view the increasing rush of patients. Once this new facility becomes operational, the total count of emergency beds at RMLIMS will see a substantial rise.
The institute's emergency bed capacity will jump to 128, a figure that includes the existing beds and the new additions. Furthermore, the institute also maintains a 30-bed holding area where patients can be stabilised before proceeding with further treatment or formal admission.
Reducing Patient Referrals to Other Hospitals
The bed crunch has historically forced RMLIMS to refer patients to other major healthcare centers in Lucknow, such as the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI), King George's Medical University (KGMU), and Balrampur Hospital. This not only causes inconvenience to patients and their families but also delays critical care.
Prof Singh expressed confidence that the new emergency ward will provide a decisive solution to this problem. The facility will ensure that more serious patients can be admitted immediately at RMLIMS itself, instead of being sent elsewhere. This enhancement is expected to streamline emergency services and improve patient outcomes significantly.
The move is a welcome step towards strengthening public healthcare infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh's capital, aiming to provide timely and efficient emergency care to a larger number of people.
