The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) has geared up to resume the OPD services after a gap of almost seven months amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are keeping a close watch on the current situation and preparing for resumption of physical OPDs through staggered steps. Considering the upcoming festive season and with almost everything being unlocked, surge in numbers of COVID-19 cases cannot be ruled out,” said PGIMER Director Prof Jagat Ram.
He said, “To avoid the congregation of patients in the OPDs, the institute is ramping up the infrastructure required to ensure social distancing once the OPDs open by creating separate screening and holding areas, which is almost ready now.”
"Simultaneously, consultations are on with various stakeholders to work out the modalities to re-open the physical OPDs through staggered steps to ensure the safety of the patients while visiting the hospital,” he asserted.
Suspended in March, the OPDs at PGIMER continue to remain shut even as most of the restrictions announced in view of the COVID-19 pandemic have been withdrawn in the city. Due to this, many non-COVID patients who had to undergo surgeries had suffered in the past seven months.
The PGIMER, a tertiary care hospital is not only catering to the city denizens but also patients from the neighboring states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand and others.
The Nehru Hospital Extension at PGIMER is a dedicated facility for critical COVID patients.
Prof Jagat Ram said, “We at PGIMER are fully conscious of our responsibility towards non-COVID patients and are keen to open the physical OPDs. However, in view of the huge footfall numbering over 10,000 on a routine day before COVID at our OPDs from across the region, it is a decision worth waiting for some more time till it is amply clear that the worst is over and the plateau has actually been flattened. Any hasty decision may backfire, amounting to risking precious lives.”
Throwing light on catering to the non-COVID patients during pandemic, the Director said, “These are challenging times and saving the COVID positive patients has been the key focus.
But, this is also a misconception that the health needs of the non-COVID patients have not been addressed due to the closure of the physical OPDs.”
Giving details of tele-consultation initiative, Prof Jagat Ram said, “With an average of 1800-2500 patients reached out through tele-consultation on a daily basis, PGIMER has provided OPD consultation to almost four lakh patients since May 19.
In addition, 27,722 surgeries have been performed and 30,389 patients have availed treatment on admission in various departments.”
“Also, the physical OPD services in Gynae, Radiotherapy and Ophthalmology Departments have been functional throughout the COVID-19 pandemic ensuring all the safety norms of the patients and the healthcare workers. These initiatives are in addition to the services being provided by emergency and trauma centre which have been functioning way beyond their bed strength through these challenging times,” he added.
On October 16, we have not only increased the number of dedicated lines but also enhanced the time of registration for tele-consultation from initial 8:00 am to 9:30 am to 8:00 am to 10:30 am facilitating the patients, he further said.