Deadline for MCH upgrade work extended yet again
The work for the upgrade of the Mother and Child Hospital (MCH) is underway since April 2022 and again its deadline has been extended.
Nearly 60% of work pending
The project was supposed to be completed by July 2023 but seeing a large amount of work left for completion, the deadline was extended several times and now, it has been again extended to March 31, 2025. Nearly 60 per cent of the work is still pending.
The project was supposed to be completed by July 2023 but seeing a large amount of work left for completion, the deadline was extended several times and now, it has been again extended to March 31, 2025.
The 100-bed hospital is being upgraded to a 200-bed facility. Nearly 60 per cent of the work is still pending. Though the contractor concerned has been asked to speed up the work, only time will tell if he is able to complete it on time or another deadline will be given.
The project included construction of the new block on the ground and first floors, three new labour rooms, a pre-delivery room and an operation theatre. Six general wards and 16 private wards are being constructed on the second floor. Private wards are ready.
Gurpinder Singh, sub-divisional officer from the Punjab Health System Corporation, said they had expedited the work and it was expected that they would meet the deadline this time.
“Instead of handing over the entire building, we are now handing it in parts. It will be handed over block-wise to the hospital authorities so that patients start using the facilities. Besides, the flooring is being developed in such a way that there will be no problem of rats,” he said.
A doctor from the hospital said the Mother and Child Hospital caters to the entire district and daily 100-150 women come for treatment. As many as 800-1,000 deliveries are conducted every month and there is a dire need for the expansion of the institution. “Many times there is a shortage of beds and two patients have to lie on a single bed and it the issue can be solved only when the hospital is expanded and the work should be completed at the earliest,” said the doctor on condition of anonymity.
