New rules for PGI Chandigarh OPDs soon

“Cases which can easily be managed by local authorities are sent to us without any basic medical measures. This is leading to disharmony within PGI because of a gross discordance between patient load and working hands. We are trying our best to bridge this gap and our medical staff is as committed as ever,” says Prof Lal.

In an office order issued on Wednesday, the director has asked all faculty members to attend the OPDs in time, that is by 9.15 am sharp, irrespective of the ward rounds. The order states that it has been observed that many of the faculty members are not attending their respective OPDs on time, and so the issuing of the order. Non-compliance, states the order further, would lead to strict action against the erring faculty members and these orders have been sent to the clinical heads, dean academic, deputy director and medical superintendent. According to a senior faculty member of the institute, work pressure has increased tremendously in the last few years, with some consultants starting their day at 8 am and finishing their OPDs late in the evening because of increasing patient load.

“We cannot leave till the last patient is attended to and the only way forward is better healthcare facilities in the states of Himachal, Punjab, Haryana and more doctors and medical staff.”

With patients from across the region increasing here, the institute has been working to upgrade its technology to reduce waiting time and long queues, with electronic payment facilities, online registration, appointment system etc. in place. PGI is also all set to start a pilot project that will use an app to schedule online registration and is also working on developing a QR code for patients to help them make payments for various tests, and not go from counter to counter. Apart from the time of patients, these measures will help in the optimum utilisation of resources, adds Pankaj Rai, Deputy Director (Administration). “We are in the process of staggering OPD attendance.

Each patient is invariably accompanied by 2 to 3 attendants, and computerisation is being done on a war footing,” adds Prof Lal.