Centre picks 160 district hospitals for 50% boost in emergency, trauma care capacity by 2027 NEW DELHI: The Centre has identified 160 district hospitals for the first phase of a programme to increase emergency and trauma care capacity by 50%, with the facilities targeted for strengthening by March 2027, as the government moves to implement key health-sector announcements made in the Union Budget 2026-27.Union Health Minister J P Nadda reviewed the progress of the projects on Thursday and directed officials to ensure time-bound implementation, regular monitoring and coordination between ministries, states and institutions.A total of 613 district hospitals have been categorised for phased implementation after a gap analysis against Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS). Of these, 160 hospitals have been placed in Phase I, 203 in Phase II and the remaining 250 in Phase III.Three committees have been constituted to work on infrastructure, drugs, diagnostics and quality; human resources, academic expansion and skilling; and digital systems and pre-hospital care.The review also covered the government’s plan to train 1.5 lakh multi skilled caregivers over the coming year through National Skills Qualifications Framework-aligned programmes. Training has already begun, covering areas such as wellness, yoga and operation of medical and assistive devices. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is working with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to scale up the programme.The government plans to add 1 lakh allied health professionals over five years across 10 disciplines. Consultations have been held with states, hospitals, industry and regulators, while funding options, including a PPP model, are being examined.Under Biopharma SHAKTI, the Centre aims to develop a network of more than 1,000 accredited clinical trial sites through a proposed ₹500-crore hub-and-spoke model, supported by stronger digital systems and a central trial facilitation agency.The Centre is also pursuing five Regional Medical Hubs to promote medical value tourism, with five priority disease areas identified for developing evidence-based integrative treatment protocols.For drug regulation, the CDSCO is being strengthened with a dedicated scientific review cadre and specialist workforce. An expert committee finalising the staffing structure has submitted its report.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesMental healthcare was also reviewed, with NIMHANS-II planned as a 1,000-bed institute and CIP, Ranchi and LGBRIMH, Tezpur being upgraded as regional apex institutions. NIMHANS, Bengaluru will mentor both.Nadda stressed that preparatory work should translate into time-bound, measurable outcomes. The initiatives span emergency care, allied health, caregiving, drug regulation, clinical research and mental healthcare, with 160 district hospitals and 1.5 lakh caregivers the most immediate deliverables.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosCM Suvendu Adhikari Urges Skilled Bengalis Abroad To Return, Promises Jobs Under Double-Engine Govt’Blind Pakistan Activated Spies To Locate India’s S-400′ During Op Sindoor, Ex-Air Marshal RevealsCamac Street Showdown: TMC Blocks Police During Billboard Removal, Banerjee Announces Court MoveNepal Floods: 288 Indians Uncontactable, 21 Rescued So Far, MEA Shares Key Updates | WatchFour Killed, One Missing In Manipur Ambush As Naga-Kuki Tensions Erupt Again, Probe Launch | WatchFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government DocumentsWhy A Supreme Court Judge Wants The Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice Transferred?18 Rounds, Point-Blank: How Haryanvi Singer Ankit Balyan Was Gunned Down Outside Gym In UPIndia-China Talks Yield 8-Point Consensus; New Military Hotlines, Border Talks On The TableSkardu Base Was India’s Target During Operation Sindoor, Ex-CDS Reveals Why Strike Was Aborted123PhotostoriesMadras checks to kimono sleeves: Fashion trends the world rediscovered from AsiaFlying soon? 5 things you should never do on a flight4 countries where YouTube is blocked; here’s whyPolka dots to Gingham: 5 trendy prints taking over fashion this seasonLearn all about the viral Kora turmeric DIY mask: Does this desi glow hack actually work?Life didn’t go as planned? 5 things to remember when everything feels uncertain8 simple hacks to peel potatoes; the one that works the best and why5 Fluffy and furry dog breeds that can make your home even more adorable7 houseplants that may help keep mosquitoes away: From basil to mintCan infections such as mumps affect male fertility years later?123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderChandigarh MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderElon MuskKanpur Aircraft Crash
NEW DELHI: The Centre has identified 160 district hospitals for the first phase of a programme to increase emergency and trauma care capacity by 50%, with the facilities targeted for strengthening by March 2027, as the government moves to implement key health-sector announcements made in the Union Budget 2026-27.Union Health Minister J P Nadda reviewed the progress of the projects on Thursday and directed officials to ensure time-bound implementation, regular monitoring and coordination between ministries, states and institutions.A total of 613 district hospitals have been categorised for phased implementation after a gap analysis against Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS). Of these, 160 hospitals have been placed in Phase I, 203 in Phase II and the remaining 250 in Phase III.Three committees have been constituted to work on infrastructure, drugs, diagnostics and quality; human resources, academic expansion and skilling; and digital systems and pre-hospital care.The review also covered the government’s plan to train 1.5 lakh multi skilled caregivers over the coming year through National Skills Qualifications Framework-aligned programmes. Training has already begun, covering areas such as wellness, yoga and operation of medical and assistive devices. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is working with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to scale up the programme.The government plans to add 1 lakh allied health professionals over five years across 10 disciplines. Consultations have been held with states, hospitals, industry and regulators, while funding options, including a PPP model, are being examined.Under Biopharma SHAKTI, the Centre aims to develop a network of more than 1,000 accredited clinical trial sites through a proposed ₹500-crore hub-and-spoke model, supported by stronger digital systems and a central trial facilitation agency.The Centre is also pursuing five Regional Medical Hubs to promote medical value tourism, with five priority disease areas identified for developing evidence-based integrative treatment protocols.For drug regulation, the CDSCO is being strengthened with a dedicated scientific review cadre and specialist workforce. An expert committee finalising the staffing structure has submitted its report.
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Mental healthcare was also reviewed, with NIMHANS-II planned as a 1,000-bed institute and CIP, Ranchi and LGBRIMH, Tezpur being upgraded as regional apex institutions. NIMHANS, Bengaluru will mentor both.Nadda stressed that preparatory work should translate into time-bound, measurable outcomes. The initiatives span emergency care, allied health, caregiving, drug regulation, clinical research and mental healthcare, with 160 district hospitals and 1.5 lakh caregivers the most immediate deliverables.
