Ashta (Madhya Pradesh) – In a significant boost to public healthcare services, the Ashta Civil Hospital is set to be upgraded from a 100-bed to a 220-bed facility, with a formal proposal already submitted to the state government. The expansion aims to address long-standing concerns over limited services, medical staff shortages, and insufficient infrastructure.
The move comes amid growing pressure from local residents and public representatives who have repeatedly flagged the lack of diagnostic tools, specialist doctors, and basic services at the hospital.
More Doctors, Functioning Equipment Soon
As part of a broader recruitment drive, 17 new doctors have been appointed across various block-level health facilities in the district. Four of them have been posted directly to Ashta, and one has been specifically tasked with operating the hospital’s long-defunct sonography machine, which is expected to become operational shortly.
New Health Centres and Facility Upgrades
Speaking to Doctor Post, Block Medical Officer Dr. Amit Mathur confirmed:
“A proposal has been submitted to increase the hospital’s capacity to 220 beds. We’ve also recommended opening 15 new sub-health centres and upgrading medical facilities in Jawar, Siddhiganj, and Bhanwara.”
Additionally, the 30-bed hospital in Jawar is proposed to be upgraded to a 50-bed facility to better serve the rural population.
CT Scan Services to Resume
The hospital’s CT scan machine, which has been non-functional for months, has forced patients to seek expensive private alternatives. The previous service contract was suspended, and a new tender is set to be floated soon to restore CT scan services within the hospital premises.
Political Support for Expansion
According to Free Press Journal, local MLA Gopal Singh Engineer confirmed that 17 doctors had been posted in blocks and endorsed the proposal to upgrade the Ashta hospital into a 220-bed modern healthcare facility.
Wider Rural Healthcare Push
The proposals for new sub-health centres and the enhancement of existing ones are part of a statewide effort to improve rural healthcare access under the government’s mission to bridge gaps in public health delivery, especially in underserved areas.
The expansion, once approved, is expected to drastically reduce patient load on nearby district hospitals, improve access to diagnostics and emergency care, and strengthen the overall health infrastructure in Sehore district.
