PGI’s ‘Project Sarathi’ initiative executed in 750 hospitals
An initiative of the PGI, ‘Project Sarathi’, is now being replicated in more than 750 hospitals across the country. Not just the Standing Finance Committee during its recent meeting, but the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare too acknowledged the project as a successful effort to enhance patient care and empower students.
Initiated in May 2024 under the patronage of Dr Vivek Lal, Director PGI, ‘Project Sarathi’ engages NSS volunteers to assist in patient services, enhancing healthcare delivery. Deputy Director (Administration), PGI, Pankaj Rai, had conceptualised this project from a mere idea to incorporate volunteer-based model into the overburdened healthcare system after stumbling upon a similar practice in a hospital in Detroit, USA, during his visit there.
Rai said that Meeta Rajivlochan, Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, Government of India, especially visited PGI to see the project’s implementation at the hospital in September, 2024. A project report was submitted and she was impressed by its findings. Project Sarathi was immediately implemented in 450 hospitals across India. Now, it’s effective in 750 hospitals.
Speaking on how the project came into existence, Rai shared that, “We started with the pilot phase of the project launched with 22 volunteers at Government Polytechnic College for Women, Chandigarh, in April 2024.”
