Mangaluru: Government Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru is set for a major expansion after the Karnataka Cabinet approved 200 additional beds, including 50 ICU beds, along with 195 new staff members and additional equipment.
The decision was taken at the State Cabinet meeting held in Mangaluru and is aimed at strengthening the hospital’s capacity to cater to patients from Dakshina Kannada and neighbouring districts. Wenlock Hospital has increasingly been functioning as a regional referral centre, with patients from as many as 10 to 15 neighbouring districts, besides Kasaragod and other areas, seeking specialised treatment.
Wenlock’s bed strength to rise to 1,212
Wenlock Hospital currently has a sanctioned capacity of 905 beds, but 1,088 beds are already functioning, according to the report.
With the newly approved expansion, the hospital’s bed strength will rise to 1,212 beds in the first phase.
The expansion will make use of infrastructure that is either already constructed or currently under development. The critical care block that has already been constructed will accommodate 50 beds, while another 74 beds will be added to the Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) ward being constructed by MRPL.
The additional 200 beds will be accommodated in the new OPD building.
50 ICU beds among new additions
Of the 200 new beds approved by the Cabinet, 50 will be dedicated to intensive care.
The ICU component will comprise:
- 30 ventilated beds
- 20 step-down beds
- 10 emergency treatment beds
- 140 general ward beds
The expansion is expected to address the shortage of ICU and emergency-care facilities faced by the hospital.
Wenlock is a major government hospital for the coastal region, and the demand for specialised and critical care has increased as patients from neighbouring districts increasingly depend on the facility.
195 new staff members approved
Along with the additional beds, the government has approved 195 new staff positions.
The staff allocation includes 115 staff nurses, besides doctors and other supporting personnel.
The additional workforce is intended to support the expanded bed capacity and strengthen the hospital’s ability to provide treatment across its departments.
Wenlock Medical Superintendent Dr Shivaprakash D S said the objective was to make all departments at the hospital super-speciality departments. He said the additional 200 beds, including 50 ICU beds, along with the new staff, would benefit patients.
Hospital caters to patients from neighbouring districts
Wenlock Hospital has grown beyond its role as a city hospital and now serves patients from a wider region.
According to the report, people from 10 to 15 neighbouring districts, as well as Kasaragod and other areas, seek treatment at the Mangaluru hospital.
This regional role has increased pressure on several departments.
Orthopaedics is among the departments facing space constraints, while patients from Dakshina Kannada have also experienced shortages of ICU and emergency facilities.
The latest Cabinet decision is therefore intended to address some of the immediate infrastructure and capacity requirements.
Demand for 1,500-bed regional hospital
There has been a long-standing demand to expand Wenlock Hospital to 1,500 beds and develop it as the Wenlock Regional Super Speciality Hospital.
The Cabinet has now approved an additional 200 beds as the first phase of expansion.
The State Government has also reportedly given a verbal assurance to increase the bed strength by another 200 beds in a second phase.
If the second-phase expansion is implemented, the hospital’s total capacity would rise to 1,412 beds, according to the report.
This would take the hospital closer to the proposed regional super-speciality facility envisaged for the coastal region.
Critical care capacity to receive a boost
The addition of 50 ICU beds is one of the key components of the expansion.
The new ICU capacity will include both ventilated beds and step-down beds, allowing the hospital to cater to patients requiring different levels of critical care.
Another 10 beds will specifically be available for emergency treatment.
The remaining 140 beds will be used for general ward requirements, expanding the hospital’s ability to accommodate patients requiring regular inpatient treatment.
Existing infrastructure to be utilised
The expansion plan is not limited to the construction of new facilities.
The already constructed critical care block will be used to accommodate 50 beds, while the CSSD ward being constructed by MRPL will provide space for another 74 beds.
The new OPD building will accommodate the 200 additional beds approved in the current phase.
The use of these facilities is expected to help the hospital expand its services while making use of infrastructure already available or under construction.
Cabinet decision follows regional healthcare demand
The Cabinet’s decision comes against the backdrop of increasing demand for specialised healthcare services in Mangaluru.
Wenlock serves a large geographical area and receives referrals from several districts. The hospital’s position as a government referral centre means that additional ICU beds, emergency facilities, general wards and medical staff can have an impact beyond Mangaluru city.
The additional staffing is particularly significant because increased bed capacity requires corresponding manpower for nursing, medical care, diagnostics, support services and hospital operations.
Second-phase expansion could take capacity further
The government has indicated that a further 200 beds could be added in the second phase.
If implemented, this would take the hospital’s bed strength from the planned 1,212 beds after the first phase to 1,412 beds.
The second-phase plan would also bring the hospital closer to the broader proposal of developing Wenlock as a 1,500-bed regional super-speciality hospital.
However, the immediate Cabinet approval relates to the first phase of 200 additional beds and 195 staff.
Focus on upgrading specialised departments
The hospital administration has stated that the broader objective is to strengthen departments and move towards super-speciality services.
With patients from several districts depending on Wenlock, improving specialised treatment capacity could reduce pressure on other referral hospitals and provide more government healthcare options for patients in the coastal region.
The addition of ICU, emergency and general ward beds is part of this wider capacity-building effort.
Conclusion
The Karnataka Cabinet has approved 200 additional beds and 195 new staff members for Government Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru. The expansion includes 50 ICU beds, 10 emergency beds and 140 general ward beds, with 30 of the ICU beds ventilated and 20 designated as step-down beds.
The first phase will increase Wenlock’s bed strength to 1,212. A further 200-bed expansion has also received a verbal assurance, which could take the capacity to 1,412 beds. The move comes as Wenlock continues to serve patients from Dakshina Kannada and several neighbouring districts as a major regional referral hospital.