Ahmedabad: The Civil Hospital in Asarwa, which is the largest government-run hospital in Asia, is set for a major transformation with an investment of Rs 568 crore. The project involves the reconstruction of two main buildings to provide a total of 1400 beds.

To execute this revamp project, the Health Department has formulated a comprehensive master plan. According to the blueprint, blocks A, B, C, and D of the existing hospital building will be dismantled, making way for an eight-story structure with a 900-bed facility and outpatient department (OPD) at an estimated cost of Rs 367 crore.

Simultaneously, an eight-story, 500-bed Infectious Disease Control Hospital will be constructed in place of the old TB Hospital, with an investment of Rs 201 crore.

The demolition of the four main blocks of the old Civil Hospital building and the OPD building is set to commence shortly, as clearance has been obtained from all relevant departments, according to sources within the health department.

PM Chaudhary, Chief Engineer of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), stated that PIU would complete the reconstruction of the two hospitals on the Asarwa Civil Campus within two years. Tenders totaling Rs 568 crore have been issued, securing all necessary approvals for the establishment of two state-of-the-art hospitals with 900 and 500 beds, respectively.

Dr. Rakesh Joshi, Superintendent of Civil Hospital, affirmed the proposed development, emphasising that the new facilities would enhance healthcare services. Additionally, a special block with 100 rooms is planned.

The eight-story hospital buildings will collectively accommodate 500 cars and 5,000 two-wheelers. Featuring modern amenities such as ward-wise nursing stations, doctors’ desks, medical storage facilities, waiting areas, and modular operation theatres, the buildings will also house a cafeteria, a kitchen for indoor patients, laundry, and an auditorium, designed with future needs in mind.

It is noteworthy that the 70-year-old Civil Hospital comprises structures built in 1953, including the first Legislative Assembly building of the state. The upcoming changes involve the demolition of the four blocks, constructed in 1958 and 1971, within the next two months. DeshGujarat