Wall collapses at Phagwara Civil Hospital, raises serious safety concerns
A potentially disastrous incident was narrowly averted Tuesday evening when part of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) building wall at the 140-bedded Civil Hospital in Phagwara collapsed during a severe thunderstorm. While no casualties were reported, the event has raised serious concerns about the structural integrity and safety of the recently constructed hospital infrastructure.
Eyewitnesses and hospital sources stated that the wall gave way amidst high-velocity winds, sending large debris crashing into the hospital compound. Fortunately, the area was unoccupied at the time, preventing what could have been a devastating tragedy.
The affected section is part of the MCH wing, a vital facility that houses the labour room, paediatric and gynaecology outpatient departments, a vaccination room, and several inpatient wards. At the time of the collapse, the building was home to dozens of patients and healthcare personnel.
Hospital staff have expressed longstanding concerns about the construction quality of the MCH building. Several previous incidents, including the detachment of tiles from walls, reportedly went unresolved. The building, inaugurated on November 1, 2022, by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, was intended to bolster regional maternal and child healthcare services.
Former Phagwara Mayor Arun Khosla, who had previously flagged concerns regarding the construction, reiterated his warnings. “The collapse is a glaring reminder of the negligence involved. I have repeatedly raised alarm about the use of substandard materials and poor supervision,” he said.
Senior Medical Officer (SMO) Dr Parminder Kaur confirmed that the incident has been formally reported to the Civil Surgeon of Kapurthala and the Punjab Health Corporation. “We have requested an urgent structural audit and immediate repairs. Patient and staff safety remain our highest priority,” she stated.
The collapse has ignited widespread concern among residents and hospital workers. “This could have been a disaster. Had it happened during peak hours, lives could have been lost,” said a nurse, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Public reaction has been swift, with citizens demanding transparency and accountability. Calls for an independent inquiry into the quality of construction are growing, with many seeking answers regarding the responsibility of the contractors and overseeing agencies.
As the hospital continues to serve hundreds of patients daily, this incident highlights the urgent need for rigorous safety inspections and responsible infrastructure development in public health institutions.
Jalandhar