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UT health dept to work on special plan for the elderly living alone in city

In February, a meeting of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS) was held, during which the issue of elderly patients visiting the hospital without any attendant was raised.

Kataria suggested that the health department must develop a special care plan for the elderly residing alone in Chandigarh. (File Photo)

UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria recently visited the upgraded Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) centres at Maloya, Sector 35, Makhan Majra, and Raipur Kalan. While interacting with patients and staff, he noted that many elderly people come alone to health centres for treatment. Considering their needs and convenience, Kataria suggested that the health department must develop a special care plan for the elderly residing alone in Chandigarh.

According to Dr Suman Singh, Director, Health Services, the department is working on a plan as per the suggestion and will first identify the number of elderly people living alone here. “Certain facilities need to be introduced so that they can receive assistance during the night or in any emergency,” said Dr Singh.

A dedicated ambulance service will be launched for senior citizens and bedridden patients in the city, and this will help those living alone, who cannot reach the hospital, so that they do not have to depend on anyone for treatment, especially in an emergency. Along with the ambulance service, other health facilities will also be provided to them as part of the effort.

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In February, a meeting of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS) was held, during which the issue of elderly patients visiting the hospital without any attendant was raised. It was decided in the meeting that six caretakers/attendants will be appointed to assist such patients. These caretakers will help patients in wheelchairs, provide them with medicines, and get their tests done.

The proposal also included the appointment of data entry operators (DEOs) at the registration counters and a discussion on providing free treatment to all emergency patients for the first 24 hours on a pilot basis at GMSH-16. These services will be initiated after approval from the governing body. GMSH-16 is also working on setting up dedicated help desks to help patients navigate the hospital, especially for the OPD, gynaecology, and emergency wards.

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