Business
NATHEALTH Welcomes New Building Norms Allowing Taller Hospitals
Eased height limits and ICU flexibility expected to boost capacity in urban areas
Healthcare industry body NATHEALTH has welcomed the government’s move to ease height restrictions for hospitals under the newly notified National Building Construction Standards (NBCS) 2026.
The revised norms allow hospitals to construct taller buildings and permit Intensive Care Units (ICUs) beyond 45 metres, provided enhanced fire safety measures are implemented.
According to NATHEALTH, the policy change is expected to address key structural challenges such as high land costs, limited bed capacity, and underutilisation of infrastructure—especially in densely populated urban centres.
The move is seen as a significant step toward expanding healthcare capacity, enabling hospitals to optimise space vertically while maintaining strict safety standards.
Industry experts believe the updated regulations will support better healthcare access and infrastructure development, particularly in cities where land availability is constrained
