PGI changes helpline, brain stroke patients not aware

Sandeep Rana

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 28

Though the PGI has changed the helpline number for brain stroke emergencies, several patients are unable to avail of the facility owing to lack of awareness.

Only a few people know about the changed helpline numbers (7087009697, 7087009500), while many others still dial the old number (98156-15600), which is currently out of order. 

Ajay Jagga, a member of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti, Chandigarh, said, “When I dialed the helpline number, it said it has no incoming call facility. It is appalling. Lakhs of people have the old helpline number. The PGI should have ported the same number if some issue arose.”

“During emergency, if I call on this number, it doesn’t connect. Should I let people die and start looking for options on the institute’s website? The authorities concerned should have retained the old number. If police say they have changed helpline number from 100 to 125, it will be a blow to many,” he said.

In case of brain stroke, first four hours are very crucial and if a patient reaches the doctor in this time, he can be saved. The helpline guides the patient on what to do at that critical time. Also, the PGI gets alert and prepares before the patient reaches there. PGI spokesperson Manju Wadwalkar said, “The old helpline number is not working. It had to be changed due to some technical issue.”

She said, “It’s been long time that we had updated the numbers on our official website. We had even shared this in a press conference.”

New helpline nos.

7087009697

7087009500 

Only a few people know about the changed helpline numbers, while many others still dial the old number (98156-15600), which is currently out of order.

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