Despite grappling with persistent infrastructure deficits, Ludhiana's health department is charting an ambitious course for 2026, banking on a series of upcoming projects to fortify the city's public healthcare system. Officials acknowledge the current struggles at facilities like the Civil Hospital but are hopeful that the planned developments will mark a significant turnaround.
Blueprint for 2026: New Blocks, Clinics, and Centres
Outlining the department's priorities, Civil Surgeon Dr. Ramandeep Kaur confirmed that work on 48 new Aam Aadmi clinics is scheduled for completion in 2026. This expansion is seen as crucial for improving primary care access. Furthermore, two major projects at the Civil Hospital—the Critical Care Block and the Integrated Public Health Laboratory—are also slated for completion. These facilities are meant to enhance emergency services, operation theatres, delivery suites, and ICU capabilities.
Additional works include the completion of a palliative care and day-care unit, while two to three new Public Health Centres (PHCs) are in the pipeline. Several Health and Wellness Centres are also expected to be finished, though sources indicate many existing ones require major revamping due to poor building conditions.
Civil Hospital's Transformation Goals
At the Civil Hospital itself, Senior Medical Officer Dr. Akhil Sareen detailed specific goals for the year. The hospital aims to revamp the Mother and Child Hospital (MCH) block, complete the Critical Care Block, and upgrade the High Dependency Unit (HDU) ward complex. To improve patient experience, plans include rationalising the parking pattern with dedicated no-parking zones and creating a revamped emergency area with a separate triage section.
Dr. Sareen added that the department hopes to improve overall sanitation, ensure well-lit premises, and streamline patient-centric services. These upgrades are deemed essential for a city with a population exceeding 30 lakh, which currently relies heavily on this single major civil hospital.
Persistent Challenges: Staffing and Infrastructure Gaps
However, the roadmap for improvement is set against a backdrop of ongoing challenges. A health department official, speaking anonymously, stated that while infrastructure has seen some improvement, much more remains to be done. The official emphasised the need to expand the Civil Hospital to serve the growing population and focus on opening more clinics and revamping existing centres.
A critical issue highlighted is the acute shortage of staff across the district, encompassing both doctors and paramedical personnel. This shortage is also felt acutely at the Civil Hospital. Another anonymous official echoed these concerns, pointing to the staffing crisis as a major hurdle.
Residents Voice Their Concerns and Hopes
The concerns are shared by Ludhiana's residents. Amarjit Kaur, a resident of Chander Nagar, expressed worry over the city having only one civil hospital, which lacks proper facilities. She stressed the need for a major healthcare boost and hoped the department would ensure adequate facilities and staffing.
City resident Narinder Singh Masson noted that while he initially observed improvements, he gradually noticed shortages of doctors, skilled technicians, and experts. He also pointed out that the presence of "middle men" deters people, especially from rural areas, from accessing services.
Advocate Amrinder Singh, another resident, called for the Civil Hospital to be on par with private institutions, equipped with adequate doctors, infrastructure, and proper equipment. He also emphasised that focus must be placed on ensuring cleanliness in government health centres.
The success of Ludhiana's 2026 healthcare blueprint will ultimately depend on timely execution and simultaneous addressal of the deep-rooted issues of staff recruitment and retention, alongside infrastructure upgrades.
