4 min readNew DelhiJul 31, 2023 06:52 AM IST
First published on: Jul 31, 2023 at 01:27 AM IST
Ten months after its inauguration, the private ward at the Centre-run Safdarjung Hospital wears an empty look. Its 20 rooms — single and double — with 30 beds are bereft of patients as well as staff. Located on the seventh floor of the hospital’s Super Speciality Block, the ward is yet to be made operational following its inauguration by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and then Medical Superintendent Dr BL Sherwal on PM Narendra Modi’s birthday on September 17 last year.
Officials had then claimed the beds are equipped with modern technology like heart monitors and have been ready for the past four years. The plan was to start providing rooms to patients undergoing treatment for heart, neurological issues, kidney and lungs initially.
An official from the hospital, on condition of anonymity, said no decision has been taken on when the ward will begin functioning: “What will be the fare for private single rooms or sharing rooms, how many nurses will be deployed, facilities that will be provided, how many departments will get how many rooms — nothing has been decided so far. Proposals were sent to the Union Health Ministry, but approvals are still awaited.”
He added that 50-odd patients have availed the service for free since December only on recommendation from their doctor and medical superintendent.
The Safdarjung Hospital, as well as newly appointed Medical Superintendent Dr Vandana Talwar, did not respond to questions regarding the delay. There was no response from the health ministry either.
According to an official from the hospital, the health ministry has advised to form a committee to decide the rates of the private ward. “Some manpower has been approved, for which recruitment has been initiated. Additional manpower, especially support staff, is required for which calculations are being done. The ward will have single and double beds with an attached toilet, a bed panel, a nurse calling system, central monitoring, a cot for the attendant and amenities such as a sofa, fridge, almirah, and TV. While some of the rooms have been equipped with a TV, almirah and refrigerator, all rooms are yet to get facilities,” he added.
He further said a few beds will be reserved for faculty/staff, CGHS beneficiaries etc. A private operation theatre and ICU has been provisioned as well. Later, a private OPD may also be started.
Earlier this month, The Indian Express visited the facility and found that all rooms, barring two, were vacant. Two patients admitted there said they were not aware of the charges.
One of the patients, Dayachand Tyagi (75), had undergone a heart surgery. His son Mohit said, “My father got the room on recommendation after CRT-D surgery (cardiac resynchronisation therapy).”
Dayachand added that post surgery, he went back home but his stitches got infected. “We consulted the doctor and he admitted me to the hospital and later to the private ward,” said Dayachand, adding that they have not been told anything about the room rate so far.
The second patient, Manpreet, who was suffering from Guillain-Barré syndrome, said: “Doctors from the pulmonology department sent us here as I was facing difficulty in breathing.”
A nursing official on duty said only 10 rooms currently have facilities. “The ward has only junior resident doctors,” she added.
The nursing official added that a payment system has not been started in the private ward: “Services are free for now. Whatever patients pay in general wards, for tests, medicines etc, they pay the same here.”
Another official said the aim behind setting up a private ward was to cater to the high load of patients and create a facility on par with AIIMS where room charges were hiked last year. At AIIMS, an A class (deluxe room) costs Rs 6,300 a day. For ‘B’ class/ordinary rooms, it is Rs 3,000 a day.
The ward is located on the seventh floor of the hospital’s Super Speciality Block. Express 
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