Tackling pandemics through hospital design

Designing building with an east-west orientation and centralised courtyard landscapes are some of the ways to improve efficiency

- RAHUL KADRI

While economic growth may be an important indicator of development, the quality of a country’s public healthcare system better demonstrates the standard of living enjoyed by a wider spectrum of the population. The Covid-19 pandemic has served a stark reminder that economies can be brought to a grinding halt if public healthcare systems are inadequate, clearly demonstrating the need for increased investment in the sector.

It is therefore essential to not rely on private health care or PPP modes only and invest in government run public healthcare facilities through advanced and sustainable construction technology to ensure services remain affordable. Good design reduces lifecycle cost of buildings and facilitates faster healing, while also enabling the retention of medical professionals by providing a better working environment.

Challenges faced by public healthcare in India

Owing to rapid urbanisation in recent decades, India faces a development paradox that is widely prevalent among the fastgrowing global economies; basic necessities are either unavailable or unaffordable to the vast majority of urban dwellers. Secondly, there is tremendous strain on public infrastructure as an increasing number of people chase a diminishing parcel of public goods.