Health Minister J.P. Nadda Reviews Progress of Lady Hardinge Medical College and Affiliated Hospitals

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Shri J.P. Nadda, conducted a detailed review of the progress at Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC) and its affiliated hospitals, namely श्रीमती सुचेता कृपलानी अस्पताल (SSKH) and Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital (KSCH). The review focused specifically on strengthening healthcare infrastructure, specialized diagnostic services, medical education, research, and patient care.

During the review meeting, details regarding the expansion of Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital (KSCH) were presented. Under this project, the hospital's total bed capacity is planned to increase from 394 to 894, ICU capacity from 40 to 200 beds, and the number of operation theaters from 4 to 12. This expansion aims to strengthen tertiary and super-specialty pediatric care while expanding the capacity for medical education and training.

Shri Nadda emphasized that planning for upcoming projects should be patient-centric and future-oriented. He issued directives to ensure high quality of construction, strictly monitor timelines, and carry out the recruitment of doctors, nurses, and other health professionals in parallel with the infrastructure expansion. He further suggested preparing a comprehensive master plan for the future and exploring the possibilities of private sector expertise and partnerships for large-scale projects.

During the visit, the Health Minister inspected the state-of-the-art skill lab at Lady Hardinge Medical College. This is a multi-disciplinary simulation-based training facility featuring dedicated simulation areas for various fields, including the ICU, surgical skills, obstetric OT, NICU, and trauma. The lab provides an integrated platform for undergraduate and postgraduate training to enhance clinical competence.

Additionally, he visited the recently launched Augmented Level III-B Neonatal Care Center at Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital. The hospital's neonatology department has 80 intensive care beds, handles over 10,000 deliveries annually, and maintains a survival rate of over 93 percent. Advanced services such as High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation (HFOV) and Inhaled Nitric Oxide therapy are available at this center. The new NICU-B includes 7 NICU beds, 8 HDU beds, and 15 Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) beds.

The review meeting was attended by several senior officials, including Shri Sunil Kumar Barnwal, CEO of the National Health Authority; Dr. L.G. Krishna, Director General of Health Services; Smt. G.S. Chitra, Joint Secretary; and Dr. Himani Ahluwalia, Director of LHMC.