Chandigarh: Sector 16 hospital to start mobile testing facilities

CHANDIGARH: UT administrator V P Singh Badnore on Monday directed Government Multi-specialty Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16, to start mobile testing facilities, so that testing teams could go on mobile vans, collect samples and give results on-the-spot. This will be helpful to senior citizens reluctant to visit hospitals for such tests, said Badnore during a review meeting at Punjab Raj Bhawan on Monday.
Interacting with UT officials, Badnore said the focus of the administration should be on early detection of cases, particularly those with comorbidities, so that fatalities could be kept at a minimum.
The administrator directed there should be focus on Information Education Communication (IEC) activities and, if necessary, bulk SMSes should be sent to all residents, advising them to follow hygienic practices and to get themselves tested at the first sign of symptoms.
He said the services of area volunteers or social workers should be utilised to keep a watch on people coming to Chandigarh from outside to avail better medical facilities. Such visitors should be tested, so that they do not become sources of infection, he said.
The administrator reiterated the earlier directions that both PGI and Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, must create additional 100 beds each for critical Covid patients. The directors assured that the work is in progress and the target will be met.