Nahan medical college struggles amid construction delays, infrastructure challenges

Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar Medical College in Nahan, the largest healthcare facility in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district, has faced severe infrastructure challenges since its establishment in 2016. Intended to provide high-quality healthcare and medical education, the institution has been hampered by significant construction delays and space constraints, leading to operational difficulties that affect patients, healthcare professionals and students.

Initiated as an extension of the district’s regional hospital, the college received Rs 289 crore from the Union Government during Jagat Prakash Nadda’s tenure as Union Health Minister. However, nearly eight years later, the medical college remains far from becoming a fully functional institution. The lack of essential infrastructure has made it difficult for the college to accommodate the growing number of patients and medical trainees. Although the college admits 120 MBBS and 30 General Nursing and Midwifery students each year, limited facilities and space shortages are significant impediments to their education.

The outpatient department (OPD), with an average daily footfall of about 1,000 patients, is plagued by overcrowding, forcing four doctors to share a single small room. This arrangement compromises patient confidentiality, particularly for women patients who may hesitate to discuss personal health issues openly. Dimly lit corridors with poor ventilation and limited seating exacerbate patient discomfort, as they are often left standing in long lines for hours. The lack of adequate parking also creates difficulties for patient families who must choose between staying close to their loved ones or finding parking further away, adding stress, especially in emergencies.

Within the inpatient department (IPD), occupancy rates frequently reach 60% to 70%, with around 323 patients admitted at a given time. Yet, vital facilities remain inadequate. The hospital lacks an MRI machine, forcing patients to seek costly diagnostic services at private facilities or travel out of state. Even routine tests like ultrasounds involve lengthy wait times, causing further delays in patient care. The lack of specialised care units often necessitates patient referrals to other facilities, and critical staff shortages, especially in roles like radiographers and nurses, compound the issues.

These infrastructure and staffing deficiencies also impact the educational experience of medical students. The limited classrooms and training facilities restrict students’ access to the resources needed for a comprehensive medical education. This situation has raised concerns over the quality of healthcare education and training provided at the college.

Construction of new college buildings, initially started under the previous BJP administration, has stalled for over two years. The current Congress government has yet to resume the expansion work, leading to frustration among the local community, who rely on the college as a primary healthcare provider.

Established in honour of Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar, the architect of modern Himachal Pradesh and its first Chief Minister, the college was expected to serve as a beacon of healthcare in the region. However, the lack of progress in expanding facilities has resulted in an institution unable to meet the demands of the region effectively.

Despite funds spent on renting accommodations for medical staff, the college continues to struggle with staffing issues, as most personnel commute from nearby Chandigarh, given the insufficient housing facilities in Nahan. This adds to the challenges of providing reliable, consistent healthcare.

When contacted about the ongoing challenges, the college principal, Dr Rajeev Tuli, declined to comment on the situation. However, the cumulative effect of the delays in construction and lack of resources raises questions about the college’s future ability to meet healthcare and educational demands.

As the largest healthcare provider in Sirmaur, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar Medical College plays a crucial role in the well-being of the district’s residents. The community hopes that the state government will prioritise the long-awaited expansion, enabling the institution to fulfill its promise of accessible, high-quality healthcare and education for the region.

Challenges and concerns

• Construction delays: Stalled for over two years, impacting healthcare services and medical education
• Space shortages: Overcrowding, limited facilities, and inadequate parking
• Lack of essential infrastructure: No MRI machine, forcing patients to seek private services or travel out of state
• Staffing issues: Critical shortages, especially of radiographers and nurses
• Educational impact: Limited classrooms and training facilities restrict students’ access to resources

Unable to meet demands of region

• Established in honour of Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar, the architect of modern Himachal Pradesh and its first Chief Minister, the college was expected to serve as a beacon of healthcare in the region
• However, the lack of progress in expanding facilities has resulted in an institution unable to meet the demands of the region effectively
• The outpatient department, with an average daily footfall of about 1,000 patients, is plagued by overcrowding, forcing four doctors to share a single small room