 |
| Walker Hospital of Shimla outlookindia.com |
The landmark British-era Walker Hospital of Shimla had a humble beginning in 1902 with just 20 beds for the Europeans and European Indigents, the latter were given free medical treatment. Over a period of time additional expansion was made to accommodate more than 40 patents
In 1954 when the Western Command shifted its base to Shimla Walker Hospital was converted into a military hospital and renamed as the Command Hospital. In 1985 for administrative reasons the Western Command shifted to Chandimandir However, Walker Hospital (Command Hospital) continued to remain a Military Hospital serving the troops stationed nearby. From 1954 to 1990, Walker hospital had served as the main facility for the army personnel and their families. it is the only hospital serving the needs of retired army personnels from the district of Shimla, Kinnaur, Sola, Kullu, Manali and part of Sirmaur districts.
As ill luck would have it the hospital building was almost gutted on the night of December 22, 1998 and this big fire mishap turned it into cinders and broken burnt- fragments barring a few parts like the interconnecting passages, porches and the conference room, family quarters, etc. They were courageously saved by the hospital staff despite blazing fire and tongues of hot flame flashing out. It is on the same spot where the Walker hospital stood yet another hospital was planned in 2007 with some major restructuring work, repairs, etc. The project is yet to be completed. Finally the army salvaged the saved parts of the building and restructured and reconstructed it with necessary medical facilities to continue the hospital's military tradition. But it it has remained closed.
In 2019 it served as a COVID-care center in Shimla and there is a plan to add 100 beds for Covid patients. In May 2021 the state government proposed a plan to build hospital infrastructure to treat COVID patients.and the army that controls the hospital agreed in principle. In August 2021 the hospital) was de-notified and removed from the category of COVID care centre, with immediate effect.
But the Army is not happy as the state government has a proposal to take it over and if it so, it means the government is insensitive to the sentiments of the Army. According to the Army, they want to keep the hospital and run it on its own to retain its tradition and the British legacy.
https://www.pressreader.com/india/hindustan-times-chandigarh/20190128/281908774367336
|
