Soon, air-conditioned OPDs at PGIMER

Mohit Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 18

Air-conditioners are being installed at outpatient departments of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER). The work has picked up following a number of complaints by patients and doctors.

The general surgery OPD and plastic surgery OPD of the PGIMER will be shifted from tomorrow for fitting the air-conditioners.

While the general surgery OPD will function from Block 4-B of the New OPD Block, the plastic surgery OPD will function from Block 3-A. The registration counters will not be shifted. The registration timings will also be the same.

Manju Wadwalkar, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the PGI, said the move aimed at facilitating the patients by saving them from the harsh summer. With thousands of patients, along with their relatives, visiting the PGI OPD every day, the patience of doctors and healthcare professionals is put to test.

The OPD was in news when it was found that doctors had installed ACs inside air-cooler containers to beat the heat.

Last year, over 25 lakh patients had visited the OPD. If roughly one relative accompanies a patient, over 50 lakh people visit the OPD in one year. Dr TD Yadav, president of the faculty association, said on an average 10 to 14,000 penitents were examined at the OPD.