GTA shifts OPD to Victoria Hospital to upgrade Darjeeling district hospital bed capacity

DARJEELING, : The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has relocated the Out Patient Department (OPD) from Darjeeling District Hospital to Victoria Hospital. The shift is a part of a broader plan to expand the district hospital’s capacity from 350 beds to 500 beds.

GTA Sabha deputy chairman and health in-charge Rajesh Chauhan said that the move would allow the vacated OPD space to be converted into essential facilities including changing rooms and other areas to accommodate the additional beds. “Our immediate focus is on increasing the Critical Care Unit (CCU) beds from 12 to 20,” Chauhan said.

The newly inaugurated OPD at Victoria Hospital, opened by GTA chief executive Anit Thapa, has 33 rooms and was constructed at a cost of Rs. 80 lakhs. The OPD will be equipped with critical facilities such as a laboratory and X-ray machines, ensuring that patients can access essential services without having to visit the district hospital.

“This OPD can be considered a gift for the people during the pujas,” Chauhan said, emphasizing the GTA’s commitment to prioritizing the health sector. He added that yoga services for homeopathy patients would also be introduced at the Victoria Hospital.

According to GTA health executive director Samden Dukpa, work is also underway on the upper floor of Victoria Hospital to establish a district integrated public health laboratory. A fair price medicine shop has already been opened there and the district eye centre will also be shifted to Victoria Hospital soon.