East Delhi’s public healthcare system could soon get a major upgrade. In a move that promises to ease pressure on overcrowded hospitals and save countless lives, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has proposed setting up a 100-bed, state-of-the-art Critical Care Unit (CCU) at Swami Dayanand Hospital under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

If approved, the facility is expected to significantly strengthen the hospital’s ability to treat critically ill patients locally, cutting down the need for referrals to far-off tertiary care centres.

To bring the ambitious plan to life, the MCD has sought ₹117 crore from the Delhi government. This will cover the construction of a new hospital block, installation of advanced medical equipment, and the creation of modern allied healthcare facilities. An additional ₹24 crore has been earmarked for hiring doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff who will run the expanded services.

Swami Dayanand Hospital, one of the largest district hospitals under the MCD, plays a crucial role in healthcare delivery for East Delhi and nearby parts of Uttar Pradesh. Every day, the hospital sees over 3,000 OPD patients, admits nearly 2,800 inpatients each month, and handles close to 10,000 emergency cases monthly. Officials say a large number of these patients need specialised critical care—something the proposed CCU aims to address head-on.

MCD Additional Commissioner (Health) Pankaj Naresh Aggarwal said the new unit would be a significant step forward. “This facility will greatly strengthen secondary-level critical care in East Delhi. It will allow timely treatment of critically ill patients, improve recovery outcomes, and reduce the financial burden on economically weaker families,” he said.

Officials confirmed that sufficient land is available within the hospital campus for the new construction. Architectural plans and area statements have already been prepared and vetted by the planning department, clearing the way for swift execution once funds are sanctioned.

The proposed CCU will be a comprehensive facility, housing ICU and HDU beds, isolation wards, emergency services, a dialysis unit, maternal and child health services, operation theatres, and point-of-care diagnostic labs. It will also include critical support systems such as medical gas pipelines, oxygen supply networks, and negative-pressure rooms, reflecting lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The annual operational cost of running the unit—covering staff salaries, consumables, utilities and maintenance—is estimated at ₹24 crore, with a projected 10 per cent annual increase to account for pay commission revisions and dearness allowance adjustments.

The proposal has already received in-principle approval and has been forwarded to the Delhi government’s health department. Officials noted that the project aligns closely with the goals of the PM–Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), which focuses on strengthening district-level healthcare, improving emergency preparedness, and closing long-standing critical care gaps.

Health experts believe that once the CCU becomes operational, it could be a game-changer for East Delhi, bringing advanced, affordable and accessible critical care closer to home for lakhs of residents who depend on public hospitals for treatment.