In an effort to assist the relatives of patients admitted to government-run hospitals, the Gujarat government has decided to construct residential facilities at hospitals operated by the government, GMERS, and under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model with private entities.
It has emerged that the Gujarat government has already held a few meetings to discuss the implementation of the project. The idea has been conceived and is currently being monitored by relevant authorities. A news report claims the government will offer land for these residential facilities. If suitable corporates are not found to construct the buildings, the government will take on the construction itself.
The first facility of this kind will be established at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital campus, which has more than 2,000 beds, the report claimed. Additionally, the government will provide land, while a giant corporate entity will construct the building as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
Officials confirmed that approximately 50 hospitals across the state will have attached residential facilities for family members and relatives of patients admitted.
Recently, Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi convened a meeting with officials from all districts, as well as those from the revenue and health departments, to inform them about the project. Collectors have been directed to identify land, preferably within the hospital campuses, for the residential facilities and to send demand estimations for the projects.
An official outlined the rationale behind the initiative, stating that thousands of relatives visit government hospitals daily, many of whom come from low-income groups. These relatives often have to spend the night in hospital compounds or lobbies owing to absence of proper accommodation.
Senior officials in the administration told a national daily that the corporates involved in the construction of these facilities will partner with voluntary organisations to manage the projects. It was explained that staying facilities for relatives will either be provided free of charge or for a nominal fee. The number of rooms at these facilities will be proportional to the number of beds available at each hospital.
