Dilapidated heritage structure to be demolished, renovated
Hyderabad: A major revamp of the Government Nizamia General Hospital (Unani) at Charminar is in the offing following a decision to demolish the dilapidated heritage structure and construct new buildings in their place.
It has been noticed that given the potential risk that the structures’ existing conditions pose, the turnout of patients has been declining and there have been fewer deliveries due to the poor facilities that the 180-bed hospital boasts of. The hospital is renowned for the treatment of paralysis and jaundice.
The state government has sanctioned Rs 52 crore for taking up refurbishing works in response to repeated pleas by AIMIM Assembly floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi, who urged the government not to neglect the hospital like it did in the case of the Osmania General Hospital.
Of the sanctioned funds, Rs 10 crore has been allocated to repair and renovate the heritage building and Rs 42 crore for demolishing the unsafe non-heritage structures and building new ones. The construction contract has been given to Gowri Shankar Infra.
Dr J. Vasanth Rao, superintendent of the hospital, said, “The works will begin soon after we get orders from the AYUSH director Chittem Lakshmi. The new building that will house the Nizamia Tibbi College will result in an increase in the intake of students, while the operation theatre that has remained closed for quite some time will re-opened after the renovation.”
The hospital presently falls short when it comes to meeting the norms prescribed by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM).
“Nizamia Tibbi College has 15 departments, 90 undergraduate seats and 36 postgraduate seats. Once good infrastructure facilities get incorporated, there will be a steady increase in seats”, said Dr Syed Zainullabeddin Khan.
Chittem Lakshmi called for accommodating female students in a private hostel in close proximity as the existing girl’s hostel building would be demolished.
