The Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Nagpur, will soon have a fully equipped dharamshala to provide affordable accommodation for relatives of patients, addressing a long-standing need at one of Central India’s busiest government hospitals.
The initiative aims to ease the difficulties faced by attendants, many of whom currently spend days or even weeks staying in open sheds or other inadequate spaces while their family members undergo treatment. A large number of patients visiting GMCH come from neighbouring districts as well as the states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh for specialised medical care.
The project is part of a broader initiative by the Maharashtra Government to improve facilities for patients’ families, particularly those from economically weaker sections. While GMCH has undergone significant infrastructure upgrades in recent years, including the installation of advanced medical equipment across several departments, the lack of proper accommodation for attendants had remained a major concern.
The Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) has approved a proposal by the Ahmedabad-based Sevadan Arogya Foundation to establish dharamshalas at six government medical institutions across Maharashtra. These include GMCH Nagpur, GMCH Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, BJ Government Medical College and Sassoon Hospital in Pune, Vasantrao Naik Memorial GMCH in Yavatmal, Sir Grant Government Medical College and Sir J.J. Hospital in Mumbai, and Chhatrapati Pramilaraje Sarvopchar Rugnalay in Kolhapur.
Under the agreement, DMER will provide land to the foundation on a 49-year lease at a nominal annual lease amount of Rs 1 for construction of the facility.
The proposed dharamshala will offer safe and hygienic accommodation along with drinking water, hot and cold water, bathing facilities and affordable dining arrangements. The foundation will operate the facility on a no-profit, no-loss basis with a cost-recovery model to keep charges economical for patients’ relatives.
Funding for the construction will be arranged through the foundation and its associated trusts, which will also be responsible for the maintenance and operation of the facility. Following the signing of the agreement, the foundation will submit detailed architectural plans to DMER for approval before construction begins.
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