Apropos a news item in a newspaper about a ban of patients from Himachal Pradesh to enter PGI Chandigarh, it is informed that the said news item is false, malicious and completely distorted. PGIMER Chandigarh takes strong objection to this misrepresented and inaccurate information published, with the sole intent of not only to bring disrepute to this institute of national importance but also to create panic among the public in these already testing and challenging times of COVID-19 pandemic.
To put things in perspective, PGIMER Chandigarh is a premier tertiary care hospital that has earned credibility as an institute that ‘cares without boundaries’ since decades. Acknowledging its commendable contribution in the patient care, PGIMER Chandigarh was the obvious choice as a dedicated COVID hospital for testing and treatment of suspected/confirmed COVID patients during the onset of COVID-19 pandemic in the country and it goes without saying that the Institute has been steadfast in serving the COVID 19 patients across the region with unwavering commitment from day one.
Besides this, the Institute has also been also providing patient care services to non-COVID patients reporting throughout the country and in particular from all the adjoining states of Northern India. Further, the Institute is also providing OPD services to patients through Tele-consultation.
In reference to the subject mentioned above, it is submitted that on a day-to-day basis the PGIMER provides Emergency/OPD/Indoor care to 12-20% of the patients reporting from the State of Himachal Pradesh. And, since March 2020 Institute has provided treatment to 2580 indoor non-COVID Himachal Pradesh patients (which is approximately 12.5% of the IPD census) whereas 113 COVID positive patients (approximately 7.8%) have been imparted treatment till date. Besides this, the Institute is also providing emergency as well as OPD care to all the patients from all across the country including the state of Himachal Pradesh.
It is pertinent to mention here that PGI has already started tele-consultation since 19th May 2020 and daily 1500-2000 patients from different parts including the Himachal Pradesh are taking consultation from various departments of the Institute.
It was also requested that in case of any dire emergency the sick/critical patients can be referred to PGIMER, Chandigarh for further management with prior consultation with the treating physicians at PGIMER, Chandigarh. And these patients and their attendants shall be referred only by doing the needed COVID testing beforehand.
However, this request for the societal good has been so insensitively and irresponsibly portrayed by certain media that has already set a trickle-down impact with our phones constantly responding to those panic calls by the public and media alike.
These are the times when the health care systems need to be supported and strengthened rather than eroding its credibility. Expecting a more proactive and responsible role from media’s end, we would request you to carry a corrigendum stating the facts and displayed prominently so that it does not miss the public eye, failing which we at PGIMER, will be forced to adopt a legal course of action for maligning our reputation and causing public unrest through sensationalising an extremely sensitive situation in this pandemic of COVID 19.
