Top private hospitals in India, through industry body NATHEALTH, have urged the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to amend the National Building Code (NBC) to allow hospital buildings to rise up to 60 meters an increase from the current 45-meter cap. This would enable vertical expansion and add thousands of much-needed hospital beds, addressing India’s low bed-to-population ratio of 1.3 per 1,000, far below the WHO’s recommended 3 per 1,000.
NATHEALTH President Ameera Shah emphasized that India requires 4–5 million more beds to meet international standards, especially in urban areas where land scarcity hinders horizontal expansion. Some states like Maharashtra and Gujarat already permit taller hospital buildings, and Delhi’s LNJP Hospital stands at 122 meters.
The group also highlighted confusing NBC clauses, such as evacuation height being measured from the roof instead of the floor, and overly strict basement use rules that hinder the installation of radiation facilities. They called for clearer guidelines on critical care areas and more flexibility for hospitals to function efficiently.
However, public health experts warn that expanding corporate hospital infrastructure may not improve access for the poor, as high costs and profit-driven models dominate the private sector. They argue that any increase in floor space should be tied to affordable care, public insurance participation, and better healthcare access, especially in smaller cities and underserved areas.
