Surat Diamond Association to Establish Hospital

The Surat Diamond Association (SDA) said it is in the process of forming a hospital for diamond industry workers in India’s diamond manufacturing hub. The city has already allocated land and the SDA is busy with building plans and raising the needed funds.

According to a report in the Times of India, SDA’s new head Dinesh Navadia, said the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has set aside 2,200 square yards for the project. A six-member committee from the diamond trade has been appointed for finalize the hospital design and to raise funds for the project.

Estimating the cost at 150 million rupees ($3.3 million), Navadia said the first phase of the hospital will include a gynecology and children hospital.

Expecting mothers of the diamond workers' families and the children would be treated “on concessional rates,” Navadia added.

According to official estimates, 500,000 workers in the diamond industry in Surat lost their jobs during the recent recession. Diamond manufacturers are finding it hard to convince former employees to return to work, finding that the laborers mistrust the industry today. Surat is India’s textile manufacturing center too.