Dr. Mandeep Bhandari, IAS, Joint Secretary to Government of India, MoHFW visits PGIMER Chandigarh
Chandigarh : April 6 : Dr. Mandeep Bhandari, IAS, Joint Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare visited PGIMER Chandigarh today and reviewed the progress made under ‘Swachchta Pakhwada’ initiative of promoting public health based on sanitation, cleanliness and infection control.
During his visit, the Joint Secretary chaired a meeting which was attended by Prof. Surjit Singh, Director PGIMER, senior faculty members and senior administrative officers including Prof. G D Puri, Dean (Academics), Prof. Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent-cum-Head, Department of Hospital Administration, Sh. Gaurav Dhawan (IRS), Deputy Director Administration, Sh. Kumar Abhay (IAAS), Financial Advisor, Prof. Ashok Kumar, Additional Medical Superintendent cum Official Spokesperson to mention a few.
A detailed presentation was made before the dignitary. This included details about the institute’s history, traditions and academic growth over the last 60 years. He was also apprised about the hospital structure, the advanced centres of patient care, training and research as well as some of the pioneering achievements made by the institute during its journey. Dr. Mandeep Bhandari was also updated about the progress made under the Swachchta Pakhwada’ initiative, including the Institute’s Swacchta Action Plan focusing on long term perspective with a special thrust on IEC, bio-medical waste, hand hygiene and digitization of records.
While explaining the ever-increasing patient load at various areas in the hospital by the senior administrative team of PGIMER, it was emphasised that many referrals can be dealt with at the level of district hospitals and medical colleges in the region by strengthening the peripheral health infrastructure. However, many patients still prefer to come to PGI for their treatment because of the ‘trust’ earned by the institute in patient care through the years, so a multi-pronged strategy required to deal with long pending issue of patient rush. The Joint Secretary gave a patient hearing to the difficulties being faced by the Institute and assured quick re-dressal of the administrative bottlenecks.
Following the meeting, the Joint Secretary visited Advanced Trauma Centre New OPD Block; Advanced Eye Centre; Advanced Cardiac Centre; Advanced Paediatric Centre and Nehru Extension Block;. At these centres, the Joint Secretary interacted with doctors, paramedics and patients and enquired about the facilities being provided to the patients there.
