Currently, Ruby Hall Clinic and five other private hospitals have pitched in to set up the superspecialty hospital. The SVPGH has a 70 per cent occupancy rate but often has had to transfer patients to bigger hospitals for want of superspecialty treatment. S K Sardana, CEO of PCB told Newsline that the need for a superspecialty hospital arose due to lack of one in the cantonment area. "People with heart or kidney problems cannot avail of treatment at the cantonment hospital since facilities are not readily available. So the PCB decided to tie up with a group of hospitals and provide the faculties," Sardana said.

The proposed superspecialty hospital will have an Intensive Care Unit, trauma care centre and other facilities like labs and CT scans. Moreover, it will also act as a source of revenue for the PCB. "The board will earn revenue by leasing out space admeasuring five acres and more to the private trust to run the superspecialty hospital," Sardana said.

The new hospital will come up in place of the nurses' quarters that are in a dilapidated condition. "Six proposals have been received and presentations have been made by the private parties," Sardana also said.

Cantonment residents can expect a special discount of 20-25 per cent on medical bills.

The SVPGH started providing medical services in its Out Patient Department (OPD) building way back in 1928. While the labour room and wards were subsequently added, a new hospital building was constructed in 1987. Ancillary facilities like a new labour room, special room block, bridge connecting wards to the OPD were also added. The OPD and indoor medical services were backed by basic laboratory facilities, X-Ray and sonography. However, the labour room has been shut for the past one year and the infectious diseases ward has been closed for the last five years.