Mangaluru: The state government has granted administrative approval for the construction of the fourth and fifth floors of the Medicine Block at Wenlock District Hospital using a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) grant of Rs 10 crore sanctioned by Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL). The expansion is expected to significantly enhance inpatient capacity and critical support infrastructure at the government hospital.

The approval order was issued by Prabhakara T, Under Secretary to the Health and Family Welfare Department. According to the order, the government had originally prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a ground-plus-five-floor Medicine Block. However, due to fund constraints at the time, only the ground floor and three upper floors were constructed.

CSR support enables pending construction

With MRPL now submitting a letter of intent to provide Rs 10 crore under its CSR initiative, the long-pending construction of the remaining two floors has received clearance. The new funding will enable completion of the originally planned structure and addition of specialised facilities.

As per the approved plan, the fourth floor will house a Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) along with a 52-bed ward. The CSSD will play a critical role in hospital infection control by ensuring proper sterilisation and supply of surgical instruments and medical equipment across departments.

The fifth floor will include a 22-bed ward, taking the total additional bed capacity created through the two new floors to 74 beds. Officials said this will help address the growing patient load and improve inpatient care services.

Additional beds to benefit patients

District in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said the additional floors and beds will directly benefit patients, especially those from poor and middle-class backgrounds who depend on government healthcare facilities.

He noted that Wenlock District Hospital serves a large population and functions as a key referral centre in the coastal belt. Increasing bed strength and adding modern support departments will reduce congestion and improve treatment turnaround time.

The minister also confirmed that maintenance of the new building and supply of human resources for the expanded facilities will be entrusted to Kasturba Medical College (KMC) under the existing service agreement framework already in place for the hospital.

OPD block project also approved

Separately, the government has recently approved construction of a new Outpatient Department (OPD) building at the hospital as part of a broader expansion programme. Work on this block is expected to begin shortly.

The OPD project will be implemented in phases as part of a larger hospital modernisation plan with a total outlay of Rs 70 crore. In the first phase, tenders will soon be floated for construction of a new two-storey OPD block at an estimated cost of Rs 35 crore.

Officials said the new OPD building will be designed with patient convenience and service efficiency in mind. It will include a solar power unit to support energy needs and a CCTV surveillance system to enhance safety and monitoring.

Model hospital development plan

The Health Department aims to develop Wenlock District Hospital into a model government hospital with upgraded infrastructure, improved patient flow and enhanced clinical support systems.

According to project details, the total built-up area of the new OPD block will be 8,257.22 square metres, covering a lower ground floor, ground floor and two upper floors. The design will accommodate multiple speciality clinics, waiting areas and diagnostic support units.

As part of administrative strengthening, the post of District Surgeon at the hospital has also been upgraded to the rank of Medical Superintendent, a move officials say will improve institutional management and decision-making authority.

Two-phase expansion strategy

The expansion of Wenlock Hospital is being carried out in two phases with a focus on long-term public health capacity building. Authorities said the twin-track approach — adding both inpatient wards and a modern OPD complex — will balance emergency, admission and outpatient care needs.

With CSR participation from MRPL and budgetary support from the government, the project is being positioned as a public–corporate partnership model in healthcare infrastructure creation.

Once completed, the additional floors of the Medicine Block and the new OPD building are expected to substantially improve service delivery, bed availability and patient experience at one of the region’s most important government hospitals.