The much-anticipated Institute of Cardiac Sciences at Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital continues to remain closed, despite a government assurance for its inauguration in December. The project is now nearly a year past its original deadline, leaving patients awaiting its advanced facilities.
Project in Final Stages, But Delays Persist
Hospital officials confirm that construction work on the ambitious project is still ongoing, though it is in its final phases. They estimate that the remaining work will be completed within a matter of months. One official explained the delay, stating, "A project of this size and scope calls for special attention to ensure the right quality of work, which takes time."
In a positive development, another official confirmed that all the necessary, cutting-edge medical equipment and devices for the new institute have already been procured. "Construction work is in its final stages, and we can open the institute as soon as that is done," the official said, indicating that the major hurdles are now logistical and structural rather than related to equipment supply.
A Promised Hub for Advanced Cardiac Care
Once functional, the new institute is set to be a game-changer for cardiac healthcare in the region. The 200-bed facility is designed to consolidate all cardiac-related services currently scattered across the old hospital building, thereby freeing up crucial space there.
The institute will be equipped with:
- Five advanced catheterization labs (cath labs)
- Five modular operation theatres
- A dedicated cardiac emergency unit
- Comprehensive diagnostic facilities
- A separate Outpatient Department (OPD)
Political Timeline and Public Awaiting
While the project was initially launched under the previous state government, the current BJP-led administration had committed to making it operational by the end of this year—a deadline that has now been missed. The continued delay underscores the challenges in executing large-scale public health infrastructure projects on time.
The people of Jaipur and surrounding regions are eagerly awaiting the launch, which promises to offer state-of-the-art cardiac care under one roof and reduce the burden on the existing, often overcrowded, hospital facilities.
