Dr Suman Singh gets one-year extension as Chandigarh DHS

Talking of the work done over the last few years, Dr Singh maintains while every project is close to her heart, she is very happy that the long-needed 32-bedded Advanced Paediatrics Centre (APC) at GMSH-16 was inaugurated in 2024. “Now paediatric patients do not have to go outside to get specialised services as there is a hybrid ICU unit with ventilator beds, oxygen-supported beds, and a high-dependency unit, with EEG, ultrasonography, and echocardiography. With the renovation of antenatal and postnatal wards, now we have a facility of complete air-conditioning giving mothers and children comfort,” said Dr Singh.

The hospital now has a waiting area for patients, a project done with CSR assistance, and as per Dr Singh, it gives patients a comfortable space to sit in all weathers. Various projects of renovation at the hospital are underway in private rooms, the gynaecology wards, emergency area, with work on to create more space. “The Emergency extension has to be done at a faster pace and next on the agenda is to refurbish the six-bed CCU to offer both privacy and convenience to patients and attendants, and begin work on the critical care block in Mani Majra, helping patients not to travel from far to get emergency services,” said Dr Singh.

The process of digitisation is underway at GMSH-16, with signal testing having started, and this will help reduce reported footfall for collection of reports, X-rays etc, as all reports, including radiology films, would be sent to the phone or mail of the patients, along with a complete digitisation of health records. To help patients get health care near their homes, and streamline services, the dispensaries have also been upgraded, with all now paperless. The plan is to start a lab in Sector 39, with one recently started in Sector 25. “The gap between private and government hospitals should be reduced, and we are trying to recruit more doctors and manpower for all our facilities,” said Dr Singh.