Surat General Hospital Near Closure as Encroachments Block Access

Surat | Gujarat — A century-old symbol of service, Surat General Hospital, is standing on the edge of collapse — not due to financial distress, medical shortcomings, or lack of trust, but because of something as basic as blocked access to its own entrance in the diamond city of Surat. Illegal encroachments on Balaji Road in Chauta Bazaar have created such severe congestion that ambulances often cannot reach the hospital in time. Staff members say lives have already been lost.

The emotional appeal coming from the institution is stark and heart-wrenching. “If this issue is not resolved now, in two or three months this 100-year-old institution will be forced to shut down. More than 100 families connected with this hospital will be left destitute,” said Sunil Modi, President of Seth P. T. Surat General Hospital.

Despite repeated representations to authorities, hospital administrators claim they have received no meaningful action. “The hospital is well-equipped, the staff is qualified, the services are affordable — yet patients cannot reach us because the road is completely blocked by unlawful vendors,” a senior hospital employee shared.

Several incidents of patients dying inside ambulances stuck in traffic around the hospital have reportedly been published earlier in local media. Yet the situation remains unchanged.

“Everyone sees it — officials, citizens, leaders — but somehow no one is able to act. And this silence is hurting us more than anything else,” said an elderly woman who has been receiving treatment at the hospital for nearly two decades.

The hospital leadership says the administration’s “sweet-eyed” neglect has emboldened encroachers, putting not just an institution at risk, but also the health and lives of the community it serves.

Appeal to Elected Leaders

The institution has urged senior leaders — Union Minister CR Paatil, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Surat MP Mukesh Dalal, and Surat West MLA Purnesh Modi — to intervene personally.

“All these leaders know the legacy and service of this hospital. They are capable and committed to social service. We still hope they will help us in time,” said Modi.

A Crisis Beyond Business Rights

While the hospital acknowledges that every citizen has the right to livelihood, it emphasizes that no one has the right to conduct business at the cost of others’ survival.

“Business is important, but not at the risk of patients dying inside ambulances,” said a doctor who did not wish to be named.

A Final Plea

In a poignant message, an elderly woman connected to the hospital pleaded,“With folded hands, I request the administration to resolve this issue. Please think calmly — what will happen to the 100 families who depend on this hospital?”