Lucknow, Oct 16 (IANS): The construction of Rs.1,000 crore super-speciality hospital - Medanta-Avadh - was launched in the state capital on Thursday.

Once completed, the hospital would have a staff of 800 doctors, 3,000 nurses and 2,000 para-medical personnel. Spread over 12 acres of land, the hospital will have 30 operation theatres, 1,000 beds, 300 critical care beds.

There are also plans to open satellite centres in other parts of the state.

A government spokesman said all efforts would be made to complete the work in 18 months.

Inaugurating the construction work, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said the state government was committed to improving healthcare in the state.

Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, who was also present along with former party general secretary Amar Singh, congratulated Medanta Group chairman and managing director Dr Naresh Trehan for selecting Lucknow for the new hospital.

Trehan said since he was King George's Medical University alumnus, he had a dream of giving back something to the city of Lucknow.