About 9,200 square metre area spread over two floorsof the upcoming superspecialty hospital of IIT Kharagpur wasmade available to the West Midnapore district administrationsometimes back after lockdown came in force, the officialsaid.
The phase one of the IIT Kharagpur super specialtyhospital, with 400 beds, was scheduled to start its outpatientdepartment in June-July.
Registrar Prof Bhrigu Nath Singh said, "We were readywith the structural construction though the handover from theconstruction company was not taken due to some LAN,integration of modular OTs and few service lifts related workswhich are going on and expected to be completed shortly afterlockdown period is over."
Director Prof Virendra Kumar Tewari said, "We hadreceived a request from the office of the district magistrateabout three weeks back and agreed. We are in contact withdistrict administration and the local community and ready tooffer all necessary help within our capacity."
He said the upcoming hospital facility is rightlybeing used to serve its cause towards the healthcare of thepeople even before its launch.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Kharagpur, VaibhavChaudhary said, "About 300 people were stuck at the inter-state border after the lockdown was implemented as they couldnot travel further into the state without being tested forCOVID-19. While we could test 50 samples on a day, we needed afacility to accommodate the others."
He said the healthcare facility at IIT Kharagpur waswell-suited for the purpose with the huge available area,built-in structure, adequate toilets, electricity. Even theelevators were put into operation.
The SDM said the location of the hospital was also avantage point as it is away from inhabited rural areas.
Chaudhary said temporary wooden structures were builtto ensure social distancing within the allocated areas and thedistrict administration has also arranged for meals and othernecessary items for those accommodated in this facility. SUSRG RG