Chandigarh, July 12 —The long-awaited 283-bed emergency-cum-trauma centre at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, is finally set to open by the end of July, with sources indicating the likely inauguration date as July 28.
While the hospital administration has yet to confirm the official launch date, a circular has been issued regarding a Sukhmani Sahib path at the new trauma centre building on July 27, hinting at a ceremonial opening. Final confirmation, however, depends on the availability of a Union minister, officials said.
GMCH-32 director-principal Dr A.K. Atri said the infrastructure is complete and equipped for patient care. “The building is ready and a circular regarding Sukhmani Sahib path has been issued for July 27. The equipment has been installed and all emergency services will be shifted to the new building in a phased manner,” he said.
The new facility is expected to significantly reduce the patient burden on PGIMER’s overburdened trauma centre, which has long borne the brunt of Chandigarh’s emergency cases.
GMCH currently operates a 45-bed trauma centre in Block-A, but it often handles up to 400 emergency patients daily, resulting in severe overcrowding. Reports of patients being treated on trolleys due to bed shortages have been frequent.
The new centre, sanctioned at a cost of ₹52.77 crore in 2019, was originally expected to be completed in 18 months. However, delays due to environmental clearance issues, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other administrative setbacks postponed its operationalisation.
On December 16, 2024, UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria made a surprise inspection of the under-construction building and instructed the hospital administration to complete the work by March 31 and make the centre functional by April.
Now nearing completion, the new centre includes over 40 ventilator-supported beds, fully equipped operation theatres, CT scan and MRI facilities, and two basement levels dedicated to parking.
Designed to respond to a range of critical emergencies—including road accidents, industrial injuries, and disaster-related trauma—the new GMCH trauma centre is expected to become a vital support system to the city’s healthcare infrastructure, sharing the emergency load more efficiently with PGIMER.
