Andhra to set up 500-bed MCH blocks at two govt hospitals

In a step towards strengthening maternal and child healthcare services and reducing maternal and infant mortality, the Andhra Pradesh government is gearing up to expand facilities at two government hospitals.

Mother and Child Health (MCH) blocks are nearing completion at thee Guntur Government General Hospital (GGH) and Kakinada Government General Hospital (GGH), each providing 500 additional beds.

Equipment cost
“Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav has approved the procurement of medical equipment and essential materials worth ₹51.33 crore to make the facilities fully operational,” the officials said in a press release on Sunday.

The Guntur MCH block, being constructed with the support of the Guntur Medical College Alumni of North America (GMCANA) at a cost of ₹86 crore, is nearing completion. Similarly, the MCH block at the Kakinada GGH is being developed with the support of the Rangaraya Medical College Alumni of North America (RMCANA) at a cost of ₹46 crore.

To equip these blocks, 5,687 units of 332 categories of medical equipment and accessories will be procured. Of these, the Guntur GGH will receive 1,187 units of 37 types of equipment at a cost of ₹23.51 crore, while the Kakinada GGH will be provided with 4,500 units of 295 types at ₹27.82 crore.

The equipment includes ICU beds, patient monitors, ventilators, defibrillators, ECG machines, mobile X-ray units, ultrasound scanners, nebulisers, delivery kits, oximeters, phototherapy units, and surgical chairs, among others.

The Minister appreciated the contributions of the alumni associations and praised the efforts of the principals, superintendents, and staff of the hospitals in realising these blocks, the release added. The Hindu