Quality patient care at PGI on his mind

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 1

Prof Surjit Singh, Head, Department of Paediatrics, PGI, today joined as the officiating Director of the PGI.

• Also read: PGI a victim of its own popularity: Prof Jagat Ram

Talking about his future commitments and challenges, Professor Singh said, “The major challenge has always been providing quality patient care and handling the rush at the institute as the patient load is again increasing. We are doing our best to cater to such a large number of patients in OPDs and emergency wards. The footfall has reached 8,000 and gradually the institute is moving towards pre-Covid times when the footfall used to exceed 10,000. Patients have now gained the confidence to physically visit hospitals.”

‘3rd wave unlikely’

The high sero prevalence in the region suggests that we are protected and this is the reason to believe that there won’t be a third wave. Prof Surjit Singh

On the fear of a third wave, Professor Singh said, “The high sero prevalence in the region suggests that we are protected and this is the reason to believe that there won’t be a third wave. However, taking adequate precaution should be everyone’s priority to prevent any surge.”

“The PGI is well-prepared to handle any surge; we are on our guard. We hope that it doesn’t happen because we want to start normal services, including operation theatres,” he said.

While a majority of the adult population has received both doses, children still remain unvaccinated. On this, Professor Singh said, “The sero prevalence among children is also very high and hopefully they should be protected. Trials of a vaccine for children are going on at the institute currently. Children will always be our priority to provide patient care.”

Regarding a surge in the dengue cases, Professor Singh said, “We are trying our best in the emergency ward, but the patient load is unmanageable. Usually dengue cases settle down during this month and a relief may be expected soon. This year, the surge came late; it will settle down in two weeks.”