GMC, Rajindra Hospital top brass replaced

Karam Prakash
Tribune News Service
Patiala, September 19

Following alleged administrative chaos and lack of care in the Covid ward, the state government has changed the top administrators of the Government Medical College (GMC) and the Rajindra Hospital.

The move comes a week after Medical Education Minister OP Soni along with Principal Secretary DK Tiwari visited the college and hospital. As per the orders, the government has changed the principal and vice-principal of the GMC and medical superintendent of the Rajindra Hospital.

Dr Rajan Singla of the Anatomy Department has been appointed GMC principal, while Dr Raminder Pal Singh Sibia of the Medicine Department will be the vice-principal. Dr HS Rekhi of the Surgery Department has been given the charge of medical superintendent of the Rajindra Hospital. The decision has reportedly been taken following chaotic management of the Covid ward and lack of patient care at the Rajindra Hospital.

Soni said the decision had been taken after the administrators showed laxity in work. He said, “I had visited the college and hospital last week and found there was laxity in the administration of the Covid ward. Considering this, I have taken the decision to change the entire administration.”

The minister said the high number of deaths in the Covid ward of the hospital was also one of the main reasons for the decision. “The increasing number of deaths in the Covid ward is a matter of concern,” he had said.

As many as 482 deaths have been recorded in the Covid ward of the hospital. Meanwhile, Dr Singla said tackling the pandemic would be his main priority along with speeding up pending infrastructure work. Dr Rekhi said, “At present, our focus is on the Covid ward. After taking the charge, I have visited the ward to oversee its functioning.”