New Project

West Bank Plans Another Hospital

The hospital, spread over an area of 12,380 square metre, would have a built-up area of over one lakh square feet

An artistic impression of the upcoming West Bank Hospital

The management of Howrah-based West Bank Hospital has chalked out plans to come up with another 150-bed hospital in its vicinity. The hospital is located in Andul region of Howrah and is only five kilometres away from the present 150-bed hospital.

The hospital, spread over an area of 12,380 square metre, would have a built-up area of over 1.5 lakh square feet. Says Asish Chakraborty, Executive Director, West Bank Hospital, "It would have departments of cardiology, cardio thoracic, vascular services, radiology, radiotherapy, nephrology, gynaecology & obstretics, dental, ENT and emergency."

The land for the project has been taken from the West Bengal Government on a 30-year lease and renewable further. The estimated cost of the project (inclusive of construction and equipment) is around Rs 55 crore. Funding would be through a mixture of equity and debt. "The construction of the project is expected to start by September 2009. The hospital will start radiotherapy and OPD services by June 2010 and the entire services by 2011," he added.

When most groups are keen on acquisition for faster growth, what is the rationale behind starting a greenfield project? "Greenfield gives us the option to plan and design the hospital based on our past experiences, so that we can avoid difficulties to patients, doctors and employees in running the hospital," he said. Asked about the rationale behind setting up another hospital in Howrah, he said, "At present, we have 150 beds with limited facilities and in West Bank 'value for money against advanced medical treatment' is the guiding philosophy. Growing demand and huge patient pressure in the present hospital compelled us to think about further expansion."

Asked about how different would be the upcoming hospital from the existing hospital, he said, "Provision of cancer therapy treatment and cardio-thoracic interventional treatment which is absent in the present hospital." Considering the proximity of the present hospital to the upcoming hospital, would be there be any sharing of facilities or staff between the hospitals? "The departments and facilities would of course be shared," he said.

Hosmac India Private Limited is doing management consultancy of the project. Said Sandip Chaudhuri, Assistant Manager - BD, Hosmac, "Hosmac is glad to be associated with the West Bank Hospital project and expects to play a pivotal role in realising the client's dream of building a hospital in the value segment. HOSMAC feels that the demographics in West Bengal support the theory of a budget hospital. The project looks promising, as it not only provides the discerning people in the adjoining areas in Kolkata with a credible choice, but also allows the population of the neighbouring districts apart from Howrah, better access to affordable radiotherapy treatment."

Rita Dutta