Hospital authorities install digital board, signage
Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Nov 11: Decks have been cleared for the construction of a 130-bed, earthquake-resistant block at Lal Ded hospital, nearly eight years after its foundation stone was laid.
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Officials told Excelsior that the Government has approved the project after resolving the issues that delayed its completion, with work expected to begin shortly.
The project, which has already faced repeated delays, was initially started in 2016, leading to the construction of its plinth by the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC).
However, after the JKPCC was dissolved and merged with the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department, further delays ensued. The foundation stone of the additional block was laid by then Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
Following the merger, the project was transferred to the R&B as the new executive agency, but hurdles continued. “The handover of the project also took considerable time, causing delays,” the officials said.
“The project has been approved, and the tendering process is complete. The R&B has also reached out to us regarding equipment needs, and we expect work to start soon,” said Dr Muzaffar Jan, Medical Superintendent of LD Hospital.
While the plinth was constructed when the project was managed by the JKPCC, officials noted that the project was tendered out three times, with each attempt failing due to a lack of participation.
Notably, the 130-bed block is funded by the World Bank under the Jhelum and Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) and is now on track for completion following an extension of over a year. The additional block at the Bone and Joint Hospital was also funded by the World Bank.
Officials are optimistic that the additional block will be completed within the extension period, expanding the hospital’s capacity to accommodate patients from across Kashmir.
“The construction is all set to begin as all bottlenecks have been cleared through an extensive consultation process with all stakeholders involved,” officials said.
Given the Valley’s location in seismic Zone-V, the building has been designed to be an earthquake-resistant medical facility.
“The timely completion of this project would have helped alleviate the space crunch the hospital faces; now that the hurdles are resolved, we are hopeful work will start soon, which would be a boost to the maternity healthcare setup,” a doctor said.
Meanwhile, to enhance patient experience, the authorities at LD Hospital have introduced digital boards and signage throughout the hospital.
Officials said this initiative aims to improve communication and accessibility, providing vital information to the public and ensuring a more seamless, informed experience.
The boards display information on available medical services, departments and facilities, important contact numbers, real-time updates on doctor availability, and critical alerts and announcements during emergencies.
Officials said that boards have also been installed to inform the public about doctors’ rights and laws protecting healthcare personnel. “This has been done in accordance with the recent Supreme Court directive related to the Kolkata rape and murder case. Additionally, we have ensured that necessary signage is in place to assist and facilitate the movement of attendants,” Dr Jan said.
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