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Published on March 5, 2008

Why do you need to invest so much money in new buildings and other facilities?

Chula Hospital has so many low-rise buildings [totalling more than 90 at last count] scattered about its 193-rai site on Rajdamri and Rama IV roads [facing Lumpini Park].

This has posed a formidable challenge to the management of our logistics, personnel etc. We cannot provide a one-stop service to patients, since X-ray and MRI rooms, for instance, are scattered throughout several buildings, while there are several different ICUs and emergency rooms around the complex.

This means we cannot use our equipment efficiently, because it's all in different places. Some of our buildings, such as the emergency rooms are very old, built 40-50 years ago.

We need to modernise and provide one-stop service. The plan is to build a 29-story complex for medical service, training and research, so they'll all be under one roof.

How big is the planned complex?

We're planning a total area of more than 170,000 square metres plus centres of excellence for research and development in various fields, such as stem cells, bird flu, breast cancer and organ transplants.

We'll put all operating theatres on three floors of the new building, while ICUs will take up two floors. Wards for general or poor patients will take up five floors, while there'll be separate floors for those who can afford to pay for single or VIP rooms.

What is the project's budget?

Construction for the integrated medical complex is estimated at between Bt6 billion and Bt6.5 billion, plus Bt5 billion for medical equipment and information-technology systems.

How will the project be financed?

We'll get Bt4.1 billion from the state over six years starting this fiscal year. The rest will come from donations to the Thai Red Cross Society plus the society's existing funds. We expect public donations of up to Bt6 billion over the next several years.

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has been informed of this project.

We received the first budget instalment of Bt150 million for design and related work. There will be an e-auction for contractors in May, and construction should begin in September.

What is the hospital's vision?

We intend to be No 1 in several selected fields in Asean countries by 2012, and we'll continue to uphold our policy of providing medical treatment to all regardless of their income.

We also need to remain competitive in terms of equipment and personnel, so we plan to open more special units in the new complex to serve middle-class and upper-income groups like private hospitals do, so that we can earn more income to subsidise our poorer patients.

The Nation