The Sheth Vadilal Sarabhai (VS) Hospital in Ahmedabad, once a prominent medical facility providing affordable healthcare, now lies in a state of disrepair despite a phased allocation of approximately Rs 782.13 crore over the past four years for its renovation. The opposition, Congress, is now questioning the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government for not executing the necessary renovation work.
Addressing a ‘Save V.S. Hospital’ townhall meeting, Leader of Opposition (LOP) in the AMC, Shehzad Khan said, “We are taking the message of our senior party leader Rahul Gandhi, i.e. ‘Mohabbat Ki Dukaan’, to protest against the civic body. The 1200-bed hospital is closed due to BJP’s wrongful policies. We are demanding that this hospital should be open for poor people to get the necessary treatment.”
Speaking with Vibes of India, Deputy Municipal Commissioner of Health and Hospital, BC Parmar, addressed the stalled renovation, stating: “Two years ago, a proposal and tender were issued to reconstruct the hospital. However, the work was stalled due to a court matter.”
The hospital, established in 1931, has long been a lifeline for poor and middle-class residents of the city. However, its current condition is reportedly dire, with crumbling infrastructure and a lack of adequate medical facilities posing significant risks to patients. Reports and visuals from the hospital paint a distressing picture of patients crying out in pain and struggling to receive treatment.
At present, VS Hospital primarily handles outpatient cases, gynaecology, paediatrics, orthopaedics and a few inpatient services. Its bed capacity has been allegedly reduced from 1,200 to just 120.
Regarding the hospital’s current state, Parmar explained: “The existing building is 100 years old and has 500 beds at present. Despite the challenges, VS Hospital remains operational. There are 350 beds vacant on average. The hospital handles around 600-700 OPD cases daily, with an average of 150 patients admitted.”
Congress leader Himmatsinh Patel told Vibes of India that “this hospital has been Gujarat’s fame for so many years. People who suffered heart attacks, road accident injuries, or any other emergencies were coming here and getting proper medical attention from reputed doctors. However, the BJP government has brought some policies that are against people.”
This sentiment echoes among many patients, particularly the destitute and elderly, who rely on VS Hospital for low-cost medical care. An elderly patient shared his despair, saying, “I don’t have money, so I come here. But things are not like they used to be. The staff was better earlier, and the treatment was good. Now, no one pays attention. Where else can we go?”
Modern Facilities at SVP Hospital Overshadow VS Hospital
With the adjacent Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (SVP Hospital) equipped with modern facilities, VS Hospital has been sidelined, leading to its gradual decline. The hospital’s condition has been steadily deteriorating since the inauguration of SVP Hospital in 2019, which was built at a significant cost and actively promoted by the AMC.
Parmar provided clarity on alternative facilities available for patients: “SVP Hospital, located nearby, provides free treatment to PM-JAY cardholders. Patients from VS Hospital can also access free treatment there. Additionally, LG and Sharda Ben Hospitals are available to serve poor pockets around the area.”
The deliberate downsizing of bed capacity has been criticised as a move to divert patients to SVP Hospital, which is perceived as catering to wealthier clientele due to its higher treatment costs.
“As services at VS Hospital were scaled down, including the cessation of most surgical procedures, patients have been left with limited options. Through this campaign, we want the administration to open their eyes and do something about this hospital. Every year, not a single penny is spent on the renovation work of VS hospital despite allocating crores of rupees in the annual budget of the civic body,” said MLA Imran Khedawala to Vibes of India.
Crores Allocated But Nothing on Ground
The AMC has allocated Rs 782.13 crore in total for its renovation. The breakdown is Rs 163.85 crore in 2021-22, Rs 173.32 crore in 2022-23, Rs 183.01 crore in 2023-24 and Rs 261.95 crore in 2024-25. However, the renovation work remains stalled.
This year alone, Rs 55 crore was allocated for the trauma ward, yet no tangible progress is visible, according to LoP Pathan.
Pathan recently inspected the hospital and highlighted its state. Khan criticised the ruling BJP for failing to deliver on its promises despite the massive budget approvals. He questioned the administration’s claims that the hospital treated 4.61 lakh outpatients and 9,165 inpatients this year, stating that such figures are difficult to believe given the hospital’s current condition.
In 2023, then Deputy Municipal Commissioner of Health and Hospital, Praveen Chaudhury, stated in an affidavit submitted to Gujarat High Court that VS Hospital and its associated infrastructure would continue to operate, but public scepticism remains high.
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