Delhi to Build 24 Hospitals to Boost Health Tourism
The Delhi government has proposed the construction of 24 new hospitals as part of a major initiative to enhance the city’s healthcare infrastructure. Delhi develops 24 hospitals under this plan to position itself as a global health tourism hub. This move is a key component of a broader strategy aimed at addressing current healthcare challenges and delivering affordable, high-quality medical care to both residents and international patients. By expanding its medical facilities, Delhi aims to strengthen its standing in international medical tourism.
Major Elements of the Hospital Development Plan
Hospital Projects: Under the plan, there are proposals for the establishment of 7 new intensive care unit (ICU) hospitals, 4 other new hospitals, and upgrading 13 existing institutions. After implementation, the projects will introduce nearly 16,186 new beds to the public healthcare facilities of Delhi, meaning a drastic growth in capacity coupled with minimized overcrowding of patients.
Budgetary Allocation: The Delhi government has allocated ₹12,893 crore to the health department in the 2025–26 budget, of which ₹3,421 crore is for capital works, like hospital construction and renovation.
Health and Wellness Centres: The government plans to launch 400 Health and Wellness Centres, or Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, in the city. These centres will provide primary healthcare services and promote preventive care.
Challenges and Considerations
Funding Deficits Despite the grand agenda, the gigantic funding deficit challenges the state government. To begin with, experts estimate that ₹10,250 crore will be required to complete the construction of the 24 hospitals. Furthermore, they will need an additional ₹8,000 crore per year for their upkeep. In fact, this financial gap poses a serious challenge. Meanwhile, other health projects are also competing for limited resources. Ultimately, securing sustainable funding will be crucial for long-term success. Officials have questioned the sustainability of raising these amounts wholly from the state treasury.
ICU Project Delays Cause Losses
Project Delays and Monitoring: Hospital projects in the past have been delayed and were more expensive.ICU hospitals sanctioned at ₹1,125 crore, for instance, were completed midway in three years. Consequently, this led to massive financial inefficiencies. Moreover, delays in execution affected resource allocation. As a result, several facilities remained underutilized. In comparison, timely projects showed better cost management. Therefore, improving execution strategies is essential to avoid future inefficiencies.
Strategic Vision
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has also stressed the government’s emphasis on making Delhi a hub for health tourism. By providing hospital infrastructure and integrating traditional health systems like Ayurveda and Yoga, the city will be able to attract international patients for holistic health services.
Conclusion
Development of 24 new Delhi hospitals is a welcome step towards improving healthcare quality and access in the city. As part of this initiative, Delhi develops 24 hospitals to strengthen its medical infrastructure and meet growing healthcare demands. While the program holds significant promise, challenges such as securing adequate funding and ensuring successful implementation will be crucial to its success.
