The 95-bed Delhi State Cancer Institute (DSCI), an autonomous body under the Delhi government, is set to add 300 beds.
The number of patients visiting the hospital with state-of-the-art facilities, are much more than what the hospital can hold at the moment.
The 95 beds are divided into four categories – general, semi-private, private and deluxe. While stay in general ward is given free-of-cost, rest charge for the beds. This leaves little room for poor patients who need to be admitted in the general facility.
With 300 more beds, the DSCI will become the largest cancer facility in the government set-up in Delhi.
Upgraded in 2006 from cancer department of Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital to a full fledged institute, the hospital receives 600-700 patients a day.
“The footfall is more than any other institute or department in the city. Thus, we need more facilities,” said Dr R K Grover, director of the institute. He said that the process has started and soon the hospital will send a detailed proposal to the government.
The shortage has led to some adults occupying beds in children’s ward when the beds are empty.
“Shortly, a full-fledged operation theater will also be commissioned, for which the construction is almost over.
“In the last six years, the institute has spent Rs 150 crore out of Rs 250 crore allotted for maintenance and upgrade,” said Grover.