In a significant boost to healthcare infrastructure in the state, the Jharkhand health department has granted approval for the massive expansion of two key medical institutions. The ambitious plans target the Shaheed Nirmal Mahto Medical College and Hospital (SNMMCH) in Dhanbad and the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College and Hospital (MGMMCH) in Jamshedpur, with a combined investment running into hundreds of crores.
Major Upgrade for SNMMCH Dhanbad: More Seats, New Building
The department, during a review meeting on Wednesday, sanctioned comprehensive upgrades for SNMMCH Dhanbad, focusing on both medical education and patient care services. The most notable change is the substantial increase in undergraduate intake capacity. The number of MBBS seats will be raised from 100 to 250 annually. To support this expansion, officials confirmed that all academic, clinical, and support facilities will be enhanced.
The physical expansion will be substantial. A new 450-bed hospital building is slated for construction. Additionally, the project includes renovating the existing hospital structure, upgrading the emergency block, and carrying out repairs to the academic block. Medical infrastructure across all departments will be strengthened to match the increased student capacity and healthcare demand.
Infrastructure Aligned with NMC Standards
The expansion plan meticulously follows the guidelines set by the National Medical Commission (NMC). To accommodate the larger student and staff body, new hostels will be built with separate facilities for undergraduate students, postgraduate scholars, junior and senior residents, and nursing staff. The development blueprint also includes creating indoor and outdoor sports facilities. To improve mobility across the hospital campus, ramps will be constructed to connect existing buildings. The total estimated cost for the SNMMCH expansion project is around Rs 700 crore.
The green signal for these plans was given during a review meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Ajay Kumar Singh. Officials were directed to submit immediate reports to ensure the swift start of construction. Singh also proposed innovative dual-use designs, suggesting that some postgraduate hostels could be planned to function as Outpatient Departments (OPDs) where needed.
Parallel Expansion for MGMMCH Jamshedpur
Alongside the Dhanbad project, MGMMCH in Jamshedpur is also set for a major capacity enhancement. The institution will now offer 250 UG seats, 150 PG seats, and 30 superspecialty (post-PG) seats. ACS Singh has instructed the concerned authorities to correspondingly upgrade the hospital's bed capacity, hostel infrastructure, and medical facilities to support this increased academic output.
Furthermore, Singh reviewed plans for constructing a modern health bhawan on the Doranda campus of MGMMCH. This proposed structure, planned in the old community building, is estimated to cost Rs 131 crore. It aims to house the health secretariat, directorate, and other departmental offices under one unified complex, improving administrative efficiency.
These expansive projects mark a critical investment by the Jharkhand government in addressing the growing demand for quality medical education and healthcare services in the state's industrial heartland. The move is expected to not only produce more doctors but also significantly upgrade tertiary care facilities for the public.
