Uncertainty surrounds completion of critical care block at old GGH in Vijayawada

Time of India

4 days ago

Vijayawada: Uncertainty looms large over the construction of the critical care block at the old govt general hospital premises in Vijayawada. The block at the old GGH premises was conceptualised nearly seven years ago to reduce patient burden, as the existing facilities at the old GGH premises were found inadequate to handle the growing in-patient admissions.
Currently, the 280-bed Vijayawada old GGH offers gynaecology, paediatric, and psychiatry services and serves as a major centre for maternal deliveries. Pregnant women from underprivileged backgrounds with limited resources opt the hospital for maternal healthcare.
To enhance neonatal care and provide critical care facilities, a new critical care block with nearly 120 beds at a cost of Rs 24 crore in central funds was planned.
Foundation stone was laid for the construction of the new block in December 2023 by the previous govt. However, the construction progressed at snail's pace as the contractor halted the works, allegedly over non-payment of funds and unknown reasons, leading to the hospital building missing several deadlines.
The latest deadline set for handing over the hospital block was June 30, which elapsed as the contractor failed to finish the works.
"Currently, the civil structure works of the building are completed, and interior works such as electric wiring, painting, and others are pending. We are not aware of when the contractor will complete them and hand over the critical care block to us," said Vijayawada GGH superintendent Dr AV Rao.
The superintendent said that they are continuously following up with the contractor and have given a target to finish the works at least by October.
The old GGH is often overburdened with patients, and doctors are forced to treat two patients on a single bed due to a shortage of beds.
"Once the critical care block is made available, the bed shortage will be addressed to a good extent. Although the construction works on the new critical care block were initiated during the previous TDP regime, they were halted by the last regime due to unknown reasons, and now the works have been expedited," a senior official at Old GGH told TOI on condition of anonymity.