Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Dec 11: After multiple missed deadlines, the state-of-the-art additional block of Bone and Joint Hospital, Barzulla, in Srinagar is now undergoing final finishing touches, and is likely to be inaugurated by the end of this month.
According to officials, the funding agency and authorities have identified some pending civil works and areas requiring rework, which need to be completed before the block can be officially opened.
“The building is complete in all aspects concerning patient care, but the recently identified works must be addressed before the additional block is inaugurated,” officials stated.
Constructed under the Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) with funding from the World Bank, the new block has been built using modern technology and is designed to be earthquake-resilient.
It will add a total capacity of 160 beds, enhancing patient care with advanced systems and facilities.
With the operation of the new block, the hospital’s total bed capacity will increase from 150 to 310. The hospital initially had a capacity of 200 beds, but a fire incident in 2022 led to a space crunch.
“The work on the identified areas is ongoing and may take a few more days. The project is now in its final stages,” officials said, adding that a meeting scheduled for December 17 will review the progress.
Although no specific date for the inauguration has been finalized, officials noted that the block is expected to be operational by the end of the month.
Officials from the R&B Department also confirmed that they are ready from their side for the additional block to be made operational.
Doctors at the hospital have also requested certain additions to improve the functionality of the ICU and High Dependency Unit (HDU).
“These additions, not part of the original plan, have been approved by the Government and the funding agency, with directives to complete them by December 31,” officials confirmed.
It is worth noting that the additional block was initially scheduled for completion in April, but the deadline was missed.
The newly constructed block at the Bone & Joint Hospital introduces state-of-the-art facilities, including modular operation theaters equipped with a Laminar Flow System, a Theatre Sterile Supply Unit, and dedicated pre- and post-operative care wards.
The addition of 10 ICU beds, an advanced Physiotherapy Unit, and an in-house biomedical waste disposal system ensures scientific waste management and enhanced patient care.
With the new block operational, the number of operation theaters will increase from 5 to 8, significantly boosting the hospital’s capacity and efficiency.
The block also features the innovative Pneumatic Tube System, a first for hospitals in J&K, enabling seamless transport of medical items, such as blood samples, between floors.
Other upgrades include a modernized Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD), enhanced laundry facilities, and the installation of a Sewage and Effluent Treatment Plant.
As the only dedicated orthopaedic hospital in Kashmir, the Bone & Joint Hospital serves patients from across Kashmir, including Jammu and Ladakh.
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