RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday performed the bhoomi pujan of the new integrated hospital building with 700 bed capacity at Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College, Raipur.

He also launched the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the college at the Medical College Auditorium. Exactly 60 years ago, on 9 September 1963, the Government Medical College of Raipur was established. Deputy Chief Minister and Health and Medical Education Minister T.S. Singh Deo and other dignitaries were present.

Baghel said Raipur Medical College and its associated hospital have to be developed as per the needs of today. There has been a significant increase in terms of the scope and quality in health services in the state in the last five years. People’s trust in government hospitals has increased. Free health facilities have reached even the people of remote areas.

He added that the health machinery of the state is ready to deal with every crisis. The Malaria Free Chhattisgarh campaign has resulted in a significant reduction in malaria cases.

Deputy Chief Minister T.S. Singh Deo said the hospital associated with this is a great hope for the people of the state. Asia's most advanced machinery is also available here. The approval has been received for the Genome Sequencing Lab in Raipur Medical College.

Additional Chief Secretary of Medical Education Department, Renu G Pillay said Raipur Medical College is the largest tertiary care hospital in the state. In view of the continuously increasing number of patients here, the need for a well-equipped integrated hospital building was being felt for a long time. Dean Dr. Trupti Nagaria said the Raipur Medical College journey started 60 years ago in 1963 with 60 students. Now there are 230 MBBS seats and 150 PG seats.

The capacity of the hospital affiliated to the medical college has increased from 700 beds to 1,248. With the increase of 700 beds in the new integrated hospital building, the number of beds here will increase to around 2,000. It will be the only hospital in Central India with a capacity of 2,000 beds.