Hospitals to offer “home away from home” for patients’ families

In a move that blends healthcare with compassion, the Chhattisgarh government has announced the creation of dedicated rest homes for relatives of patients at government medical college hospitals, addressing a long neglected hardship faced by families travelling from remote and rural areas for treatment.

The initiative was formalised with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Medical Education and the Sevadan Arogya Foundation at the state secretariat in Nava Raipur, in the presence of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. The project aims to ensure that attendants of hospitalised patients are no longer forced to spend nights in corridors, staircases or open spaces while caring for their loved ones.

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Under the agreement, the Sevadan Arogya Foundation will take full responsibility for the construction, furnishing, and day-to-day management of the rest homes. The facilities will operate on a “no profit, no loss” basis, offering safe, clean and affordable accommodation. Each rest home will provide round the clock security, CCTV surveillance, hygienic food and a dignified living environment within or near hospital campuses.

In the first phase, the rest homes will be developed at government medical colleges in Raipur, Ambikapur, Raigarh and Jagdalpur, key healthcare hubs that receive a steady influx of patients from distant districts. Officials said the selection reflects the pressing need for organised accommodation in cities where families often stay for weeks during prolonged treatment.

Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal said the initiative recognises that recovery is not limited to medicines alone. “Treatment also depends on emotional support and peace of mind. These rest homes will allow families to remain close to patients in a secure and humane setting,” he said.

Chief Minister Sai emphasised that healthcare must extend beyond clinical care. “Our objective is not only to provide quality treatment but also to safeguard the dignity and comfort of patients’ families. For those coming from far flung areas, these rest homes will offer safe, clean and affordable shelter, along with food and basic facilities, under one roof,” he said, describing the move as a hallmark of sensitive and responsible governance.

Technical Education Minister Khushwant Saheb, Health Secretary Amit Kataria, Medical Education Commissioner Ritesh Agrawal, and representatives of the Sevadan Arogya Foundation were present at the signing ceremony.