‘GMCH should now be an institute of national importance’
We have as many as 170 to 200 faculty posts, and 27 new posts, with some already filled on contract. As far as nursing goes, we have 424 posts, and 300 have joined, says Dr Thami
Dr G P Thami, who has taken charge as Director-Principal of Government Medical College & Hospital, in an interview spells out his vision for the hospital, from improvisations to speedy delivery of treatment, with more systems in motion, in order to reduce the waiting time of patients and offer quality care.
Edited excerpts:
You have held several important positions as the professor in charge of academics, head of the department of dermatology, medical superintendent, and now director-principal. Please share your journey in GMCH-32.
I have been blessed to have all the experiences in various capacities along the way, and it has been a journey of learning. I joined in 1996 after MBBS from the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Shimla, and MD from PGI, Chandigarh. At that time, this hospital was in its infant stage, with the college in the Prayaas building in Sector 38, and the hospital was GMSH-16. We have seen the hospital grow by leaps and bounds, and the effort continues. I am privileged to be in the field of medicine and academics, with my wife a professor of gynaecology at PGI, my son an assistant professor of orthopaedics, my daughter-in-law an MD in dermatology from PGI, and my younger son a computer engineer from IIT.
In the field of academics, what are your plans for GMCH-32 in the new role?
We are focused on increasing both MBBS and MD seats and enhancing the quality of education with the latest in technology. We have five BSc courses, and these are now being run on national-level parameters, with a change in the entire syllabi. The new academic block that is being planned will be a state-of-the-art facility with all the latest facilities for students.
What is your vision for GMCH?
Autonomy in education is very important, and patients from surrounding states, and as far as Bihar and UP, come here for treatment, more than patients from Chandigarh. It is large enough that it may be made autonomous. We have many academic courses, we have GRID, Mental Health Institute and from a college, GMCH should now be an Institute of National Importance.
Patient numbers have increased significantly in the last decade. How can patient services be enhanced?
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If investigations and reports are done more quickly, we will be able to ease the rush. We are already exploring the possibilities of having a PPP mode for CT scans, MRIs, so that teaching and services can be done on different machines. We have introduced a new queue management system in the ENT Department, and soon all public dealing services will have this system for the ease of patients and consultants. We may also be exploring robotic surgery, but for that, the nuclear medicine department has to be set up. Oncology is a field that we will enhance with new machines and a PET CT, and are exploring CSRs for this, with a plan for a full-fledged cancer hospital soon. Now, OPD, wards, and daycare of oncology are operational in the Sector 48 Hospital, and the new plan is to set up nuclear and radiation oncology.
What about new faculty for the hospital?
We have as many as 170 to 200 faculty posts, and 27 new posts, with some already filled on contract. As far as nursing goes, we have 424 posts, and 300 have joined. In the OBC category, 123 were not eligible, as they were from outside Chandigarh, and we will advertise again now. We are working on the Mother and Child Hospital, construction of which will be done by March next year, and are looking forward to a new academic block and a multi-level parking.
Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India.
Professional Profile
Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions.
Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025)
Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture:
1. Public Health & PGIMER
"PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx.
"Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare.
"Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area.
2. Education & Institutional Governance
"Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms.
"Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking.
3. Art, Culture & Heritage
"Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status.
"Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful."
Signature Style
Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions.
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