The Centre has given a go-ahead for a 100-bed critical care unit in Lucknow's esteemed Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences. The budget, of ₹45 crores, for the block has been approved and an executive body will soon be recruited to construct the same, as per National Health Mission officials.

The initiative, under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, aims at tackling epidemic-like situations, like COVID. In such a case, the unit will function as a fully dedicated hospital.

Equipped with life-saving equipment and protective-care machinery, the aforementioned block will be built near the Mother and Child Referral Center of Lohia Institute.

Talking about the budget and its receival, Director of the Lohia Institute Dr Sonia Nityanand explained that some ₹28 crores have been allotted as the cost of construction, while the remaining amount will go into the equipment, beds and other necessary items.

Currently, the Lohia Institute holds 50 beds in its critical care block. The emergency unit comprises 10 beds, which are occupied all the time. In such a situation, patients that require the ventilator-ICU facility have to seek other institutions' aid. On an average, some 3-4 patients inquire of the facility of critical care on a daily basis.

Thus, with the development, more number of patients will benefit from the amenities.