PM Narendra Modi virtually lays foundation for Critical Care Block at Wenlock Hospital

MANGALURU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually laid the foundation for a Critical Care Block (CCB) at the Government Wenlock District Hospital, which will be built under the Pradhana Manthri Ayushman Bharath Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM). The PM launched the CCB project from New Delhi, along with other development works in the healthcare sector across the country on Tuesday.
Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta, who presided over a programme at the Wenlock Hospital, said that the per capita govt spending on healthcare tripled from Rs 1,042 in 2013-14 to Rs 3,169 in 2021-22. The MP stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a series of health sector projects worth approximately Rs 12,850 crore, aiming to expand healthcare services and infrastructure across the country.
“Allocations for the healthcare sector in the country increased in the last 10 years. The central govt under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to improving public healthcare in India. The increase in the per capita govt spending on healthcare in the past 10 years is a clear indication of the govt’s commitment towards people’s health. The Ayushman Bharath insurance scheme benefited a large number of people in the country, and the govt spent Rs 1,12,500 crore under the scheme. The Ayush sector grew from 3 million dollars in 2014 to 18.1 million dollars in 2020. The govt’s projections for 2023 indicate that the size will reach 24 million dollars,” the MP said.
Stating that the CCB for Wenlock Hospital is a Deepavali gift, Capt Chowta said that the facility will be beneficial for patients from coastal districts and other neighbouring regions. He also lauded the KMC Hospital’s partnership with the Wenlock Hospital as a model for the entire nation. “We expect the work of the new CCB to be completed within 15 months,” the MP said and urged the hospital authorities to ensure the speedy completion of the work.
MLC Ivan D’Souza said that the state and central govts have been giving priority to the health and education sector. “Wenlock Hospital caters not only to the Dakshina Kannada district but also to several surrounding districts, including the Kasaragod district of Kerala. I request the MP to get more funds for the development of Wenlock Hospital. Meanwhile, I will ensure that the state govt too will sanction matching grants for development works,” he said.
About the New Block
The new CCB with 50 beds will come up on a 5,460 square metre area, and the building will have three floors, including the ground floor. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 23.75 crore, of which the state govt will bear 40% of the cost. The block will have six high dependency unit (HDU) beds, 10 ICU beds, an isolation ward with 24 beds, two isolation rooms, two dialysis beds, two Maternal and Child Health (MCH) beds, five emergency beds, and two operation theatres.
MLC Prathap Simha Nayak, deputy commissioner Mullai Muhilan M P, Zilla Panchayat CEO Dr Anandh K, Dr D.S. Shivaprakash, Superintendent of Govt Wenlock Hospital, and DHO Dr Thimmaiah HR were present.
EOM/ October 29, 2024