Kashmir’s pediatric healthcare system has witnessed a significant upgrade with the construction of the new Children Hospital at Bemina. The need for this facility became evident after the grim situation at GB Pant Hospital in Sonwar, which was previously the only pediatric care institution in the region.
Background on GB Pant Hospital: GB Pant Hospital, located in a congested area of Sonwar, had been the primary pediatric care center in Kashmir. With a capacity of just 250 beds, it struggled to meet the needs of the region’s child population, which was estimated at over 20 lakh as per the 2011 census. The hospital’s deteriorating infrastructure and inadequate facilities were highlighted in 2012 when an alarming number of neonatal deaths occurred, raising concerns about the quality of pediatric care available in the valley.
New Children Hospital at Bemina: The construction of the new Children Hospital in Bemina was undertaken to address these issues. This state-of-the-art facility was built at a cost of approximately ₹115 crores and spans an area of 40 kanals. The new hospital boasts 500 beds, doubling the capacity of the GB Pant Hospital, and aims to alleviate the overcrowding and poor conditions that plagued the old institution.
Facilities and Services: The new hospital brings together a comprehensive range of pediatric specialties under one roof, including child cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, neonatology, nephrology, pediatric surgery, and orthopedics. This integrated approach ensures that children receive holistic and specialized care without the need to visit multiple facilities.
Additionally, the hospital is equipped with modern infrastructure, including medical oxygen plants with a capacity of 3000 liters per minute, lifts, a central heating system, and fire-fighting equipment, ensuring that both patients and staff are in a safe and comfortable environment.
Development and Government Initiatives: The project for a new pediatric hospital was initiated in response to the pressing needs highlighted by the conditions at GB Pant Hospital. In 2013, the National Conference-Congress coalition government approved a 200-bed hospital. This project was later expanded to a 500-bed Mother-Child Hospital by the People’s Democratic Party and Bharatiya Janata Party coalition government in 2015. However, in 2019, under the administration of the Lieutenant Governor, the project was revised to focus solely on a 500-bed children’s hospital, and construction began in 2021 after receiving the necessary approvals from the state administrative council.
This new facility represents a major advancement in the healthcare infrastructure of Kashmir, addressing the long-standing challenges faced by the pediatric population in the region and ensuring that children receive the care they deserve
