HYDERABAD: Yet another heritage structure is set to fade into history as state government has given nod for demolition of the remaining portion of Victoria Zenana Hospital. A portion of the building was pulled down earlier to make way for parking for the HC. The remaining structure will now face the axe for construction of law chambers. The hospital was shifted to Petlaburz after the premises was handed over to the HC for expansion.Victoria Zenana Hospital building is more than a heritage structure. It is replete with medical history. It also witnessed the growth of modern medicine in Hyderabad. The hospital helped in saving the life of lakhs of women during pregnancy and childbirth. For more than a century the Zenana hospital building remained the landmark for Hyderabadis.Work on law chambers is likely to begin in next few weeks wiping out first exclusive hospital building for maternity cases in Hyderabad. The government has strangely estimated book value of the structure at ?1.97 crore, without considering its antique, historical, heritage and cultural value, which is priceless, said INTACH Hyderabad convener P Anuradha Reddy.It was constructed in 1907, long before the birth of Osmania General Hospital (OGH). The ruler was Nizam VI, Mir Mahbub Ali Khan. While most of the city was ravaged by the great deluge of 1908, the hospital remained intact. In fact, the building saved many lives from flash floods. The foundation stone was laid by Princess of Wales in 1905.According to historians, Victoria Zenana Hospital was second biggest hospital in princely state of Hyderabad after Afzalgunj hospital, predecessor of OGH. In the first four years of its formation, the hospital treated about 1,700 in-patients and thousands of outpatients. Afzalgunj hospital had a separate ward for women but Victoria Zenana was first exclusive hospital for women and maternity cases.The building was constructed in typical Asaf Jahi style of architecture. “The building needs to be protected. Unfortunately, none of Asaf Jahi buildings are included in the state protected list,” Reddy said.The hospital premises have a fountain that dates back to the Qutub Shahi period. “It was kept intact after the wards of hospital were demolished. The fountain should be shifted to Salar Jung Museum as it is as old as Charminar . Incidentally, the place where the hospital building now stands was a Qutub Shahi palace called Nadi Mahal,” Reddy added.“Taking the figures for the several hospitals and dispensaries separately, the Afzalgunj and Victoria Hospital (for women) accounted for largest number of in-patients treated in the city, 3,201 and 3,188 respectively. The Victoria Hospital had grown to house 400 beds in 1950 from 300 beds in 1942. The number of patients admitted in Victoria hospital was traditionally greater than its bed capacity,” according to Bulletin of Indian Institute of History of Medicine (Vol XX).

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