Kolasib (Mizoram) [India], June 27 (HBTV): Construction of the new 100-bed Kolasib District Hospital, supported by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), is nearing a crucial phase. A high-level site visit was conducted on Thursday to review the project's progress.
Officials from the North Eastern Council (NEC) and various state departments inspected the quality of civil works and reviewed timelines with the executing agencies to ensure the timely completion of the modern healthcare facility.
The project aims to upgrade the existing 60-bedded district hospital, which has been operating from a congested building constructed in 1979.
Medical Superintendent and Paediatrician at Kolasib District Hospital, Dr Samuel L Fanai, described the project as a 'great blessing' for the district.
'This hospital coming up is a great blessing for the district of Kolasib. Now this is going to be a 100-bedded hospital. Before, it was only a 60-bedded hospital. Actually, the original hospital was built, I think, way back in 1979. So the building was very old and very congested. Now with this new building coming up, I think we can give more services to the public. This will be very helpful for the people of this district,' he said.
Dr Fanai added that the hospital is expected to handle an average of 100 to 120 patients daily and will soon be equipped with advanced facilities, including CT scan services, while specialists in Anaesthesiology, Psychiatry and ENT will be appointed in accordance with Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) norms.
The hospital is being constructed in three blocks — A, B and C — with engineers overcoming challenges posed by the hilly terrain while ensuring the existing hospital remains operational during construction.
Executive Engineer, Public Works Department (PWD), Kelvin Lalhnachhuana, said, 'Block A will house the OPD and Operation Theatres, while Block B is designated for Gynaecology, Pediatrics and a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Block C will include private cabins and a cafeteria.'
He added, 'We are dismantling the old blocks one by one to make space. Since the site is active, we cannot stock materials in bulk and have to bring them in small quantities. Being a hilly area, we also required deep excavations and basements to ensure structural safety against sliding.'
Once completed, the hospital is expected to significantly improve healthcare access in Kolasib district by providing modern medical facilities that were previously unavailable.
(ANI)