SRINAGAR: Government Lal Ded Hospital has added 15 beds to its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) capacity with the establishment of an additional block at a cost of ₹75 lakh, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo said on Saturday.
Labroo, accompanied by Principal Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar Dr Iffat, inspected the newly constructed facility and reviewed its functioning.
The additional NICU block has been established by the district administration through convergence of district-level funds to augment the hospital’s existing capacity and address the growing demand for specialised neonatal healthcare.
Lal Ded Hospital caters to expectant mothers and newborns from Srinagar as well as other districts of Kashmir division. The additional beds are intended to improve access to intensive monitoring, treatment and medical support for newborns requiring specialised care.
The Deputy Commissioner said strengthening neonatal healthcare infrastructure was important to ensure better access to essential medical services. He added that the district administration would establish another 15-bed NICU block at JLNM Hospital, Rainawari, in the near future.
The proposed facility is expected to further expand the availability of specialised neonatal care in Srinagar.
Principal GMC Srinagar Dr Iffat highlighted the importance of the additional NICU beds at Lal Ded Hospital and appreciated the district administration’s support in strengthening healthcare infrastructure.
She also referred to the administration’s assistance in completing infrastructure upgradation projects and other developmental initiatives at GMC Srinagar, stating that these efforts were improving facilities for patients, staff and students.
The inspection was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioners Mir Imtiyaz ul Aziz and Aadil Fareed, GMC Srinagar Administrator Masarat Hashim, Chief Planning Officer Fayaz Ahmad Dar, Superintending Engineer Roads and Buildings Tatheer Manzoor, Sub-Divisional Magistrates Seerat Baji and Zubair Ahmad, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Umar Gulzar, Medical Superintendent Lal Ded Hospital Dr Muzafar, executive engineers, Tehsildar South Sajad Rasool Shah and other district administration and health department officials.
