A dedicated hospital for elderly healthcare is planned in Mazgaon, Mumbai, marking a proposed new focus on specialised geriatric services in India. Aga Khan Health Services India has acquired a one-acre plot in the area for the project.
The organisation plans to redevelop the existing Phillips quarters on the site and construct the new hospital. Project-related formalities are currently being completed, after which the process of securing the required construction approvals is expected to begin.
The hospital is planned to open with approximately 160 beds. Its capacity is expected to increase to 250 beds in a later phase.
The facility will be designed specifically around the healthcare requirements of older adults. It will address conditions and recovery needs that can be more complex in elderly patients, rather than following the conventional hospital model.
Recovery after surgery or serious illness can take longer for senior citizens. To support this extended recovery period, the proposed hospital will include a dedicated post-operative recovery unit.
The care model is also expected to extend beyond hospitalisation. Systems will be developed to enable healthcare professionals to remain involved after discharge, including support for patients recovering at home.
Around 70% of geriatric patients are reported to have chronic health conditions, highlighting the need for healthcare facilities that are better equipped to manage the long-term and complex needs of older adults.
The expansion of specialised geriatric care comes as India’s ageing population continues to increase. According to Aga Khan Health Services, senior citizens could account for one in every five people in India by 2050.
Longer life expectancy, supported by improvements in healthcare and access to medicines, is also contributing to this demographic shift. This is expected to increase demand for healthcare services specifically designed for older people.
India also has a limited pool of doctors trained specifically in geriatric medicine. Dedicated hospitals could provide an environment where multidisciplinary teams can concentrate on the distinct medical requirements of elderly patients.
Specialised elderly care also needs to consider more than physical illnesses. Mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, can affect older adults and need to be incorporated into comprehensive care programmes.
The proposed Mazgaon hospital is intended to bring together specialised treatment, post-operative recovery, longer-term support and continued assistance after discharge under one care model.
As India’s elderly population grows, facilities designed specifically for senior citizens could play an important role in expanding age-focused healthcare and addressing the changing needs of an ageing society.
(Photo courtesy: x@Dev_Fadnavis)