The 400-bed Faridabad hospital, was opened two years ago, has not yet accepted patients

Despite spending many millions on funding, the 400-bed Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College and Hospital, owned by the state government, located in the district’s Chhainsa hamlet, has yet to open for admission. It was brought up to speed around two years ago.

Health Department sources said that while 523 employees pay a monthly salary of Rs 2.65 crore, in-patient departments and emergency services have not yet started.

The sources stated that despite spending Rs 47.25 crore on building construction and repairs since taking over in 2020, the indoor treatment facilities have not taken off for a number of reasons, including STP construction, service certification, and compliance with regulations.

Despite the fact that the OPD is now operational, there haven’t been many patients coming in because of poor diagnostic services, a dearth of surgical, operating room, intensive care unit, and ward admitting capabilities, according to an anonymous staff member. Mortuary and postmortem services have not yet begun.

The absence of required services has been concerning, according to social activist Satish Chopra. Due to inadequate training facilities, the delay jeopardized the employment prospects of MBBS students, undermining the institution’s original intent. He said that it was a white elephant that was supposed to emerge as a referral hospital following the AIIMS model.

This is the second government facility in this area, after the ESIC Medical College and Hospital, and it is situated around 20 kilometers from the district seat. It was established in 2015 after the government’s takeover of a private organization that was not in functioning. Although it was turned over to the Army in 2021 to operate as a Covid hospital, it started operating in 2022 and took in its first class of 100 MBBS applicants. This year, the institution will accept its third class.

The hospital’s director, Dr. BM Vashist, said that although the outpatient department and diagnostic services were operational, the emergency and indoor facilities will probably open shortly when all necessary permissions and certificates were obtained. Super-specialty services were also suggested to be launched at the same time as students were receiving training at civil and other hospitals, he said.