Delhi Prepares for Hospital Boom Amid Healthcare Infrastructure Expansion

In 2025-26, Delhi's healthcare infrastructure expanded with 1,288 new beds. Despite this, access is limited with a bed-to-population ratio below WHO norms. Significant future expansion is planned with new hospitals and upgrades. Emergency services improved, and vector-borne diseases saw a decline. New initiatives advanced healthcare delivery.

Delhi's healthcare infrastructure experienced a moderate expansion in 2025-26, adding 1,288 hospital beds amidst plans for major capacity extensions through new constructions and refurbishments, as per the Economic Survey 2025-26. The city's total bed count rose from 62,514 to 63,802, predominantly driven by Government of India hospitals and private entities.

Notably, within state hospitals, the bed count grew from 14,380 to 15,659 despite the number of facilities remaining constant at 40. However, with the bed-to-population ratio edging from 2.82 to 2.84 per 1,000 people, this is far below the WHO's recommended standard of five beds per 1,000 population.

The survey emphasized a forthcoming extensive development strategy, including significant remodeling of 13 hospitals and the creation of 11 new hospitals to add over 15,400 beds collectively. Concurrently, Delhi's emergency response efficiency enhanced, with the Centralised Accident & Trauma Service (CATS) noting improvements in patient shifting rates despite fewer calls received. The fight against vector-borne diseases registered success with marked declines in reported cases.

(With inputs from agencies.)