Centre records over 94,900 OPD visits and nearly 36,000 emergency cases in three months; plans upgrade into a 230-bed hospital
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Friday reviewed the progress, infrastructure development and healthcare delivery services of the Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC) at Najafgarh, New Delhi, and appreciated its efforts to improve patient care, medical education and community health services.
The review covered various aspects of the institution's functioning, including hospital services, diagnostic facilities, human resources, academic infrastructure, quality assurance measures and community-based healthcare initiatives.
Addressing officials and healthcare professionals, Nadda appreciated the progress made by RHTC Najafgarh in upgrading its infrastructure and expanding healthcare facilities. He said the institution was moving in the right direction and acknowledged the collective efforts of its team in advancing its development agenda.
The Minister also recognised the support extended by Safdarjung Hospital and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in strengthening the institution. He expressed confidence that continued cooperation among all stakeholders would help establish RHTC as a stronger centre for patient care, medical education and community healthcare.
Nearly 95,000 OPD Patients Treated in Three Months
RHTC Najafgarh reported significant patient attendance between August and October 2026. During this period, its Outpatient Department (OPD) provided medical services to 94,927 patients across 10 specialities, while 35,985 patients received emergency care. The hospital also recorded 198 inpatient admissions.
During the same three-month period, the institution performed 691 surgical procedures, including 101 major and 590 minor surgeries.
Its Anti-Rabies Centre and Snake Bite Treatment facility also continued to provide essential medical services to patients.
The hospital has functional labour rooms, a pharmacy offering more than 350 medicines under its updated formulary, and dedicated Ayurvedic and Dental Clinics, ensuring access to a wider range of healthcare services.
Diagnostic Facilities and Hospital Infrastructure Upgraded
The review highlighted improvements in diagnostic and supporting infrastructure. The institution's laboratory has received NABL accreditation, while its Ultrasound (USG) facility became operational on October 24, 2026. Since its launch, the facility has conducted 148 scans.
The Physiotherapy and Audiometry units are also operational. Between August and October 2026, the audiometry facility conducted 252 tests.
Several essential infrastructure projects, including the Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD), Effluent Treatment Plant, Sewage Treatment Plant and Medical Gas Pipeline System, have been completed.
The institution is targeting the commencement of services at its Blood Storage Unit and Mortuary by January 2027. CT Scan and X-ray facilities are also planned to become operational in the first quarter of 2027.
Nursing Education and Quality Standards Receive Attention
RHTC Najafgarh has also invested in strengthening its academic and training facilities. Its ANM Training School has undergone renovation and can accommodate 44 students annually for the two-year Auxiliary Nursing Midwifery course. An ANM hostel with a capacity of 60 beds is also available.
Alongside infrastructure development, the institution is working to improve healthcare standards at its three Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) under the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS).
Of the 129 action points identified for quality improvement, 105 have already been completed, while work on the remaining 24 is underway. The institution has set December 2026 as the target for state-level evaluation and certification, with national-level assessment expected to begin from February 2027.
Several statutory and safety-related requirements have also been addressed. These include biomedical waste management certification from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), e-waste management and compliance with the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act.
Energy, fire, structural and other safety audits have been completed, while the water audit is currently in progress.
New Speciality Clinics Planned by December 2026
The Minister also reviewed the institution's future development strategy, which includes short-, medium- and long-term plans to expand its healthcare and educational services.
In the immediate phase, RHTC aims to start specialised clinics for Thalassemia, De-addiction, Adolescent Health, Venereal Diseases, Rheumatology and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) by December 2026.
The medium-term plan includes setting up teaching departments in Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, with a target of making them operational by the end of the first quarter of 2027.
The long-term vision focuses on expanding medical and allied healthcare education through a B.Sc. Nursing College, an Allied Health Sciences College, residential hostel facilities and additional academic infrastructure.
RHTC to Be Upgraded into a 230-Bed Hospital
A major development highlighted during the review was the ongoing process to upgrade RHTC Najafgarh into a 230-bedded hospital. The proposed expansion is expected to enhance its capacity to provide patient care, medical education and professional training.
The review also examined staffing requirements, including the availability of specialist doctors, senior residents and other healthcare professionals. Administrative and infrastructure-related issues necessary for the institution's further expansion were also discussed.
RHTC Najafgarh: A Healthcare Institution with a Legacy Dating Back to 1937
Established in 1937, the Rural Health Training Centre, Najafgarh, has a long history of providing healthcare services, medical training and community-based support.
The institution delivers primary healthcare through three Urban Primary Health Centres located at Najafgarh, Ujwa and Palam, along with their respective Sub-Centres.
These facilities cater to rural and peri-urban communities, with particular emphasis on maternal and child healthcare, immunisation, family welfare and disease prevention and control programmes.
They also serve as practical training centres for medical, nursing and paramedical students, linking healthcare delivery with professional education and skill development.
The latest developments at RHTC Najafgarh underline the government's efforts to strengthen primary healthcare infrastructure, improve access to quality medical services and expand the role of healthcare institutions in medical education and community welfare.