Pune:  The formal inauguration of the maternity ward at Khadki Cantonment Board (KCB) run  Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Cantonment General Hospital has been delayed due to pending civil and engineering work.

The Resident Medical Officer (RMO), Dr Ranjit Bhonsale, said, “The maternity ward which was set to open in June, will be delayed by two to three months because the civil work is going on.”

The old ward of the hospital, established in 1914, was constructed in 1930. The size of the rooms was small and there was no proper ventilation. Also, the bathrooms were in bad condition. 

Bhonsale, said, “The board had demolished it and is now constructing a new ward. The 22-bed new facility with two general wards and two special rooms will be equipped with the necessary equipment and infrastructure. It will provide relief to poor residents in the Cantonment and neighbouring areas,”

However, the RMO was disappointed with the design of the ward, and said, “The general wards have not been designed properly as they should have been in a rectangular shape and not in the square shape. Each ward will have eight beds and with square-shaped design, there will be less space left to walk.”