Outstation patients occupying majority of beds at PGI, GMCH

The issue of outstation patients occupying Covid beds at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) and the Government Medical and Hospital College, Sector 32, has become a predicament for the city residents and UT officials.

The PGI Director, Dr Jagat Ram, said the institute had 251 Covid patients in Nehru Hospital Extension (NHE), of whom 79 belonged to Chandigarh, 82 to Punjab, 43 to Haryana, 27 to Himachal Pradesh and eight to Uttar Pradesh.

Despite the PGI reserving 300 Covid beds for Chandigarh patients, most of these beds have now been occupied by patients coming from outside Chandigarh. The problem faced by the PGI authorities is that many non-Covid patients report to emergency, but later become positive following which they have to be shifted to the NHE.

The institute has been requested to give priority to Chandigarh patients and regulate admission keeping in view the increase in the number of Covid cases in Chandigarh, particularly this week.

The Government Medical and Hospital College, Sector 32, is also receiving many patients from outside Chandigarh, leaving less space for local patients.

There are a total of 200 Covid beds at the GMCH and the Civil Hospital, Sector 48, of which 130 beds have already been occupied. Of these, one-third of the bed have been occupied by patients from Punjab.

There is a provision of around 700 beds for moderate and severe patients in the PGIMER, the GMCH-32 and the GMSH-16. Of around 381 occupied beds, 162 are being used by Chandigarh patients.

“Unlike Mohali and Panchkula, Chandigarh does not have many private hospitals, which can be reserved for Covid patients of Chandigarh. Many local residents are demanding that all medical beds available in Chandigarh should be reserved for them. However, the same is not possible,” said a senior officer. – Tribune India