Ludhiana, April 28 -- The civil hospital will operationalise an extension to its mother and childcare wing by the first week of May, adding around 100 beds and upgraded facilities to ease the patient load, officials said.

The new block will include extended wards, a dedicated nursery, three labour rooms and a new operation theatre. Officials said the expansion has been fast-tracked in view of the rising patient load, particularly from low-income groups dependent on government healthcare.

Patients and their attendants at the mother and child wing have repeatedly flagged issues such as shortage of beds, long waiting time for deliveries and limited space in labour rooms. According to patients, doctors during peak hours manage multiple case...