DARJEELING, : The Gorkhaland Territorial
Administration (GTA) has relocated the Out Patient Department (OPD) from
Darjeeling District Hospital to Victoria Hospital. The shift is a part of a
broader plan to expand the district hospital’s capacity from 350 beds to 500
beds.
GTA
Sabha deputy chairman and health in-charge Rajesh Chauhan said that the move
would allow the vacated OPD space to be converted into essential facilities
including changing rooms and other areas to accommodate the additional beds.
“Our immediate focus is on increasing the Critical Care Unit (CCU) beds from 12
to 20,” Chauhan said.
The
newly inaugurated OPD at Victoria Hospital, opened by GTA chief executive Anit
Thapa, has 33 rooms and was constructed at a cost of Rs. 80 lakhs. The OPD will
be equipped with critical facilities such as a laboratory and X-ray machines,
ensuring that patients can access essential services without having to visit
the district hospital.
“This
OPD can be considered a gift for the people during the pujas,” Chauhan said,
emphasizing the GTA’s commitment to prioritizing the health sector. He added
that yoga services for homeopathy patients would also be introduced at the
Victoria Hospital.
According
to GTA health executive director Samden Dukpa, work is also underway on the
upper floor of Victoria Hospital to establish a district integrated public
health laboratory. A fair price medicine shop has already been opened there and
the district eye centre will also be shifted to Victoria Hospital soon.
