Chandigarh, Dec 31 (IANS) The PGIMER has chalked out the plan to undertake vaccination against coronavirus of over 12,000 healthcare workers and all requisites are in place to start the process in January 2021, its Director Jagat Ram said here on Thursday.

A task force has also been set up to monitor the storage, infrastructure and manpower requirements and multiple centres created for the vaccination drive, he added.

Dr Jagat Ram also lauded the unwavering commitment and courage of the team from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in combating corona scourge through 2020.

"The institute has been steadfast in serving COVID-19 patients across the region from day one. Till date, PGIMER has been able to provide treatment to over 3,000 COVID-19 patients, mostly with moderate to severe symptoms."

The PGIMER also contributed substantially to contain the spread of coronavirus by creating round-the-clock testing facilities and conducting around 1,30,000 RT-PCR tests, over 10,000 Genexpert and 6,000 rapid antigen tests (RATs) till date.

In addition, over 60 labs have been established under the mentorship of the PGI.

The renowned institute was selected to undertake one of the trials for various potential drugs for COVID-19, including second and third phases of human clinical trials of 'Covishield' for which the third phase is underway, Jagat Ram told the media.

"Though it was very challenging, but we tried our best to provide patient care services to non-COVID emergency patients reporting from all north Indian states as well, including OPD care to around 10 lakh non-COVID patients and IPD care to another 55,000-odd patients.

"Besides, the institute has been providing OPD services to patients through tele-consultation. A total of 2,11,610 patients have been provided consultation and treatment since its inception in May 2020."

Detailing other milestones, Dr Jagat Ram said that the PGIMER was honoured for the fourth time in a row with national award in 'Best Hospital' category for outstanding contribution towards promotion of cadaver organ donation.

It ranked second in the National Institutional Ranking Framework in the medical category for the third consecutive year.

THE PGIMER chief said that the construction of Advanced Neurosciences Centre and Mother and Child Care Centre was progressing well and hoped to make them operational by the end of 2021.

"Due to lockdown restrictions and non-availability of labourers, work was affected for almost two months, but we tried to cover up the loss when things got back on track. We are now satisfied with the pace of construction," the Director said.

Costing an estimated Rs 495.31 crore, the neurosciences centre is a 300-bed facility for timely, affordable and advanced treatment for neurological and neuroscience disorders.

Costing an estimated Rs 485 crore, the Mother and Child Care Centre is a 300-bed unit for improving obstetric and neonatal tertiary care.

PGIMER's satellite centre at Sangrur in Punjab is now functional, with its OPDs boosting healthcare in the area and easing patient load from that there.

"We are striving hard to make it fully functional in the coming year," the Director added.

--IANS

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PGIMER-Chandigarh geared up to vaccinate 12,000 healthcare workers - Sify