Isolation Hosp to turn into NMC's central drug storage

Nagpur: Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has announced plans to convert the Isolation Hospital in Imamwada into a central drug storage facility to streamline medicine distribution across the city.

Municipal commissioner and administrator Abhijit Chaudhary visited the site on Tuesday to inspect the location and discuss the project's implementation.

The Central Drug Depot will serve as the primary supply hub for medicines and medical essentials to all NMC-run hospitals, urban primary health centres, and health extension centres across Nagpur.

The facility will ensure the efficient procurement, storage, and timely distribution of essential drugs to public healthcare institutions. The depot will be developed over 15,000 square feet within the hospital premises and will also include a conference hall and office space to facilitate administrative functions.

The Isolation Hospital in Imamwada has been a crucial healthcare facility in Nagpur for several years. Established to treat infectious diseases, it played a key role during epidemics and health crises, including the Covid-19 pandemic.

Over the years, the hospital was used for quarantine, disease testing, and specialised treatment for contagious illnesses. During the Covid pandemic, the hospital witnessed major developments like an increase in the number of beds, and oxygen as well as ventilator facilities.

Chaudhary inspected key hospital sections, including the pharmacy unit, male and female wards, and testing centre during his visit. He also reviewed the ongoing digitisation of hospital records, expressing satisfaction with efforts to upgrade the facility's healthcare management system.

NMC deputy commissioner Vijay Deshmukh, chief engineer Manoj Talewar, health officer Dr Deepak Selokar, assistant commissioner of Dhantoli zone Pramod Wankhede, additional medical health officer Dr Narendra Bahirwar, architect Trilok Thakre, and others were present during the inspection.

With the hospital's transformation into a Central Drug Depot, NMC aims to enhance medicine supply chain management and strengthen public healthcare infrastructure in Nagpur.