PGIMER celebrates 75th Independence Day with fervour
Director PGIMER lauds healthcare workers for exceptional ‘devotion & dedication to duty’ in COVID-19 crisis
Chandigarh: 15 August: “As we celebrate Independence Day today, we salute those great sons of our country who sacrificed everything so that we all breathe in independent India. But today, I would also like to commend all our healthcare workers for their exceptional ‘devotion and dedication to duty’ by bravely donning the mantle of being our frontline warriors in this grave health emergency of the current COVID-19 pandemic.”
This was stated Prof Jagat Ram, Director PGIMER, while addressing the PGIMER team after he unfurled the national flag on the occasion of 75th Independence Day of India here at PGIMER today. Other dignitaries present during the celebrations included Prof. Gurpreet Singh, Dean (Research), Prof. A.K. Gupta, Sub Dean (Academics) & Medical Superintendent, Prof. R.K.Sharma, Sub-Dean (Research), Shri Kumar Abhay, Financial Adviser, Prof. Naresh Panda, Prof. Arunaloke Chakraborty, Prof. S.S.Pandav, Prof. Dr. S.K Singh, Prof. Baljinder Singh, Prof. Yashpal Sharma, Prof. Sameer Aggarwal, Prof. Vipin Koushal, Shri P S Saini, SHE and many senor members from faculty, nursing officers and other wings of administration.
Reiterating the Institute’s commitment to fight Covid-19 challenge, Prof. Jagat Ram shared, “Under the dynamic and visionary guidance of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi and able leadership of former Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan and present Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, we at PGI are facing this pandemic resolutely and are providing all possible services to the countrymen in these extremely trying times.”
Director PGIMER further stated, “We have learnt from this pandemic that no matter how much we take pride in our technological advances and intellectual abilities, we cannot escape the wrath of nature. But this unprecedented human tragedy has also provided PGIMER an unparalleled opportunity to rise above the occasion, to demonstrate its extraordinary capacity for teamwork and hard work; and to serve as a mentor institution for this part of the country. It is indeed extremely gratifying to see all the teams from different specialties in PGIMER working in tandem to face this big challenge.”
Elaborating on the initiatives undertaken, Prof. Jagat Ram added, “Very early on in the pandemic, the crucial decision of converting the brand-new 250 bedded Nehru Hospital Extension Block into a dedicated COVID hospital was taken. In addition, special isolation wards have been set up for patients in the Neonatology Unit, Obstetrics Department and Emergency Unit, Advanced Pediatrics Center and Advanced Trauma Center of Nehru Hospital. Since then, more than 8100 proven serious and critical COVID positive patients have been treated in this institute along with managing many more suspected Covid patients. Due to the dedicated services provided by the health care workers of our institute in the Covid Center, the mortality rate of patients admitted in PGI is much less than the best institutions not only in India but in the world.”
Adding to this, the department of Virology has provided guidance for setting up 70 Covid Testing Labs as per the protocols of the Government of India in other centers around North India, providing them daily clinical help and Covid Care planning, added the Director.
Alongside, PGIMER started a very innovative tele-OPD and physical OPD. On an average, over 5000 patients are registered every day in the OPDs. Many departments such as Radiotherapy, Obst. & Gynae, Ophthalmology, Paediatrics and several others have continued seeing patients physically, after enforcing all due precautions, but nevertheless at great risk to themselves, highlighted Prof. Jagat Ram
While enumerating the other innumerable achievements of the Institute, Prof Jagat Ram said, “It is a matter of pride PGIMER has been progressing day by day. The faculty members and resident doctors busy with both the clinical and research activities are able to generate approximately 35 crore rupees as extramural grants from various research agencies in India. Last year around 1700 research publications were published mostly in international and indexed journals.”
Prof. Jagat Ram further detailed the vaccination status and said, “It is a matter of pride that our institute has successfully completed various drug trials related to Covid. So far, we have given the first Vaccine Injection to 97% of the healthcare workers of our institute with no serious side effects under the Covid vaccination drive, which started from 16th January, 2021.”
Some of the recent accomplishments of the Institute listed by Prof Jagat Ram included PGIMER being ranked second in National Institutional Ranking Framework under Health Sector Category, fourth successive time and winning Best Hospital award for its contribution in cadaver organ donation by Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for fourth time in a row.
Throwing light on the steps taken regarding the human resource, the Director shared that in the last six months, 62 doctors have been appointed, 77 doctors promoted under Assessment Promotion Scheme, 133 employees have been recruited, 24 promoted 8 confirmed and 324 employees have been financially upgraded under MACP/ACP. The process of filling other vacancies as well as to provide the benefits of 6 tier promotion to the technical staff is ongoing.
It was also shared that under the Digital India Campaign, PGIMER is striving hard to establish a Patient Friendly Information System. With an intent to ensure more efficiency and transparency, on-line examination for the courses initiated wef January, 2020, has been continuing successfully.
The Director also updated about the construction work of Advanced Neuro-Sciences Center and Advanced Mother & Child Center and progress made at other satellite centres.
Complimenting the players who brought laurels to the country in recently concluded Tokyo Olympics, Prof Jagat Ram urged all the employees to follow the Institute’s discipline, be empathetic and polite with the patients and work wholeheartedly for the Institute.
The flag hoisting ceremony was followed by a tree plantation drive where saplings of scientific trees were planted by the dignitaries, which would eventually help in improving the aesthetics and micro climate of the institute.
Faculty, nursing, administrative and other staff were present on the occasion while maintaining social distancing and other preventive measures like wearing masks etc. The celebrations culminated with the distribution of sweets amongst employees and rejuvenated spirits.
