UT's first satellite centre of PGI to get subsidised land

CHANDIGARH: It is expected that the ongoing struggle for managing patient rush at PGI might ease off this year. PGI has been negotiating for 51 acre land at Sarangpur for its satellite centre with the ministry of home affairs (MHA). According to the sources, the decision is going to be in PGI's favour as the union ministry of health and family welfare has been able to convince the MHA.

For almost two years, due to increased footfall the institute has been asking to lower the rate to acquire the land to Rs 20 crore per acre which takes the cost of land to Rs 1100 crore. Many meetings in the past between the PGI's director and UT administrator have taken place for the same.

There is a satellite centre of PGI at Una in Himachal Pradesh and Sangrur in Punjab. The one in Una is temporarily being run from a district hospital. Saranpur will be the first in Chandigarh. The first satellite centre of PGI has already come up in Sangrur, where the screening OPD centre has been functional from a while.

"In a recent meeting with the ministries, a consensus was reached and the price is likely to be subsidised. Once this is approved, it will take some time for the building and infrastructure to develop," said an official from the ministry of health.

The demand for the land started three years ago. The master plan given by the PGI and as observed by the UT administration saw the land suitable for PGI's expansion as it would serve the need of neighbouring states. "With a daily footfall of around 8000 patients in the OPD, it is impossible to give quality time to all. If the OPDs are shifted at the satellite centre, other services can be well managed," said a faculty member.

Subsequently, the trauma and oncology centres will also come up. There is also a plan to establish a learning resource centre which will house a conventional centre for teaching purposes.