The Institute of Child Health will set up 80 more beds, taking the bed count of the Park Circus hospital to 300.

All 80 beds will be set up in an 11-storey building coming up on the campus, officials of the hospital said. The existing 220 beds will eventually be shifted to the new building.

Apurba Ghosh, paediatrician and director of the institute, said they were hoping to start functioning from the new building in two to three years. “We have 220 beds. We plan to add 80 more beds when the new building is ready,” he said.

“Our old buildings have suffered considerable wear and tear. Besides, we are also facing a space crunch as we have started new projects, like a nursing college. The new building is also needed to upgrade the facilities of the hospital and bring in some modern equipment.”

The foundation stone of the new building was laid by minister Firhad Hakim on Thursday.

Another official of the hospital said the new beds would be split across departments. The hospital plans to open neurosurgery and cardiac surgery units once the new building becomes functional, the official said.

“The hospital started with only 40 beds.... The number of patients is increasing with time. There is an urgent need to have a bigger space, to accommodate the growing needs of patients as well as for the safety of the patients. Our old buildings are showing signs of wear and tear,” said Aradhana Ghosh Chowdhury, the deputy CEO of the hospital.

About 450 children are treated at the hospital’s OPD every day, said an official.

The nursing college will start admitting students this year. The hospital also offers MD (paediatrics) and postgraduate diploma degrees in child health.

“The students have to stay on the campus, according to new rules. We have to create hostel facilities, for which we need more space,” said Ghosh.

“I urge all to donate for the construction of the building. We are a non-profit hospital and need significant donations from people. We are in talks with some private corporations,” said Ghosh Chowdhury.