June 23rd 2024.
The expansion of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics, popularly known as Sishu Bhawan, has faced some obstacles as the newly constructed building has not yet been officially opened to the public. The main reason behind this delay is the shortage of staff, according to sources.
The construction of the seven-storied building, which cost more than Rs 127 crore, was completed in 2023. The Works department then handed over the facility to the hospital authorities. However, due to the lack of manpower, the services cannot be provided at the moment.
Recognizing the crucial role of Sishu Bhawan in treating children, the previous government had planned for a bigger renovation and modification of the facility. However, the fact that the new building has been sitting unused for the past year despite being completed has raised doubts about the effectiveness of the administration. Orissa POST attempted to get a response from Sishu Bhawan Superintendent Pardeep Kumar Jena, but was unsuccessful.
Sources reveal that the expansion project, which began in February 2020 with a budget of Rs 127.35 crore, aims to have more medical wards, hostels for medical students, and other departments. Currently, there are two functional OPDs at the hospital, one for the Surgery department and another for general patients. The ground floor of the multi-utility complex, covering an area of 3,682-sqft, will have 10 new OPDs, including four super-specialty OPDs. It will also provide 47 beds for emergencies and a minor operation theatre.
Moving up to the first floor, there will be 110 beds in a 3,022-sqft area. The second floor will house important units in a 3,470-sqft area, including a high dependency unit with 30 beds, a pediatric intensive care unit with 15 beds, a neonatal intensive care unit with 40 beds, and a kangaroo mother care unit with 11 beds. Additionally, there will be six beds for a feeding room and 60 beds for a medicine ward.
The fifth and sixth floors of the new building will be used for administrative purposes. The sixth floor will also have a conference room, seminar hall, and training hall. Moving down to the third floor, there will be 300 beds for the newborn unit and 92 beds for a mothers' rest room. There will also be 22 beds for the kangaroo mother care unit. On the fourth floor, there will be 40 pediatric surgery wards and three operating theaters.
In addition to the new building, there will also be a hostel with 124 rooms, covering an area of 4,974-sqft. Out of these, 50 rooms will be for female medical students, 50 for male medical students, and 24 for married doctors. These new facilities will greatly enhance the capacity and services of Sishu Bhawan, providing better care for the children who need it most.
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