PGI mulls new departments of cardiac, neuro anaesthesia

Naina Mishra

Chandigarh, January 15

Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) is contemplating creating new departments of cardiac anaesthesia and neuro anaesthesia.

By establishing these two dedicated departments, the PGI aims at pooling specialised expertise in neuro anaesthesia and cardiac anaesthesia. This will ensure that patients receive care from professionals well-versed in the intricacies of these specific areas, leading to more precise and tailored treatments. Patients requiring neuro or cardiac anaesthesia may experience reduced waiting times and quicker interventions.

How it will benefit patients

• By establishing two dedicated departments of neuro anaesthesia and cardiac anaesthesia, the PGI aims at pooling specialised expertise in both fields
• This will ensure that patients receive care from professionals well-versed in the intricacies of these specific areas
• It will help in providing more precise and tailored treatments
• There will be reduced waiting time and quicker interventions for patients requiring neuro or cardiac anaesthesia

This focused attention can lead to improved pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative care, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes. The PGI Director, Dr Vivek Lal, said these dedicated departments were likely to be equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and techniques specific to neuro and cardiac anaesthesia. That could contribute to safer procedures, reduced risks and advancements in medical practices.

The objective is to alleviate stress, handle increased workloads and provide fast care to patients.

Dr Lal highlighted the benefits for both patients and medical professionals in terms of streamlined processes and faster service delivery. “With separate departments, collaboration among specialists becomes more streamlined, facilitating comprehensive care for patients with intricate medical conditions,” added Dr Lal.

Dr Lal also revealed recent decisions to expand cardiology services. Efforts are underway to increase the number of intensive care beds in the cardiology unit to address the waiting list for cardiac children.

The PGI aims at bolstering its cardiology services, currently housing 10 beds for cardiac children and an additional 10 beds in the High Dependency Unit (HDU). The premier health institute has also established a dedicated bone marrow transplant unit for children at Nehru Hospital. Spearheaded by Prof Amita Trehan, from Advanced Paediatric Centre, this initiative marks the first such facility in North India exclusively catering to children. The separate unit, equipped with six beds, is aimed at providing cost-effective bone marrow transplants, filling a crucial gap in paediatric healthcare services.

While Nehru Hospital continues to offer bone marrow transplant facilities for adults, the dedicated setup for children was deemed essential due to distinct equipment and requirements. The move responds to a longstanding demand for a separate centre for paediatric bone marrow transplants. Initially planned for the Advanced Paediatric Centre’s sixth floor, the service is now operational at Nehru Hospital. Professor Alka oversees adult bone marrow transplant services.