JP Nadda Reviews Progress at Najafgarh Rural Health Training Center

Najafgarh, November 13 (Daily Kiran) : Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda visited the Rural Health Training Center (RHTC) in Najafgarh, New Delhi, to assess its institutional progress and development initiatives. This center operates under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

During the review, Nadda received updates on various aspects of the facility, including patient care services, diagnostic and support facilities, human resources, educational infrastructure, quality assurance, and community-based healthcare delivery.

The minister praised the commendable efforts made by RHTC Najafgarh to strengthen its infrastructure and health services. He noted that the institution is moving in the right direction and commended the team’s initiatives to enhance development. He also highlighted the significant contributions of Safdarjung Hospital and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to the institution’s progress. Nadda expressed confidence that, through the continuous efforts and collective commitment of all stakeholders, RHTC will emerge as a more robust center for patient care, medical education, and community health services.

From August to October 2026, RHTC Najafgarh saw a substantial influx of patients. The outpatient department (OPD) served 94,927 patients across ten different medical specialties and provided emergency services to 35,985 individuals. During this period, the hospital admitted 198 patients.

A total of 691 surgeries were performed, which included 101 major and 590 minor procedures. The anti-rabies center and snakebite treatment facility were also notably beneficial during this time. The hospital operates a labor room, a pharmacy offering an updated list of over 350 medications, as well as Ayurvedic and dental clinics, significantly expanding the range of services available to patients.

The review emphasized strengthening diagnostic and support services within the institution. The laboratory is NABL-accredited, and the ultrasound service commenced on October 24, 2026, completing 148 scans to date. Additionally, physiotherapy and audiometry units are operational, with 252 audiometry tests conducted between August and October 2026. Other critical facilities, such as the Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD), Effluent Treatment Plant, Sewage Treatment Plant, and medical gas pipeline system, have also been completed. The institution is working towards launching a blood storage unit and mortuary by January 2027, with plans to introduce CT scan and X-ray facilities in the first quarter of 2027.

RHTC has also enhanced its nursing education and training framework. The ANM training school has been renovated, accommodating 44 students annually for a two-year course. The institution includes a 60-bed ANM hostel. Furthermore, it has initiated quality improvement measures under the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) for its three Urban Primary Health Centers (UPHCs). Out of 129 identified action points, 105 have been completed, while work continues on the remaining 24. A state-level evaluation and certification is targeted for December 2026, followed by a national assessment starting in February 2027.

The institution has successfully completed several compliance-related activities, including biomedical waste management certification from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), e-waste management, and adherence to the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) regulations. Energy, fire safety, structural, and security audits have been finalized, while water audits are ongoing.

The review also covered the institution’s short-term, medium-term, and long-term development plans. The short-term goal includes launching specialized clinics by December 2026, focusing on thalassemia, de-addiction, adolescent health, sexually transmitted diseases, rheumatology, and non-communicable diseases. The medium-term roadmap envisions establishing Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine departments by the end of the first quarter of 2027.

Long-term goals involve developing a BSc Nursing College, Allied Health Sciences College, and residential hostel, along with expanding medical education facilities. The process to upgrade RHTC to a 230-bed hospital has already begun, which is expected to enhance patient care, medical education, and institutional training capacity.

Established in 1937, RHTC Najafgarh has a rich legacy in service, education, and community health. The institution provides comprehensive primary healthcare services through three urban primary health centers located in Najafgarh, Ujwa, and Palam, along with their associated sub-centers.