PGI’s ‘Project Sarathi’ open to all student volunteers now

Making ‘Project Sarathi’ — a flagship initiative of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research — more inclusive, the authorities have expanded its reach by welcoming student volunteers from all academic institutions, regardless of their affiliation with the National Service Scheme (NSS).

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The project, known for simplifying hospital processes for patients, has also launched a dedicated mobile app to collect real-time feedback from patients and attendants.

Previously restricted to NSS members, the initiative will now allow students from diverse educational backgrounds to contribute to improving the hospital experience for thousands of patients visiting the PGI daily.

The move aims to foster wider community participation in public healthcare delivery. The Sarathi Feedback App will be used by volunteers to record patient responses after assisting them. The data collected will provide valuable insights to hospital administrators, enabling them to make timely and informed improvements to service delivery.

PGI Director Prof Vivek Lal hailed the development as a step towards deeper community engagement. “Project Sarathi has demonstrated how structured volunteerism can greatly improve hospital functioning. The broader participation and feedback system reaffirms our commitment to continuous patient-focused innovation.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Pankaj Rai, Deputy Director (Administration), PGIMER, said, “We’ve expanded beyond NSS due to the overwhelmingly positive feedback from staff, patients and volunteers. The volunteers serve as a crucial bridge, especially for patients from rural or less privileged backgrounds, providing them with guidance, comfort and support.”

He added that the updated structure will not only increase volunteer strength but also ensure a more compassionate and efficient environment within the hospital. Students who wish to join this meaningful initiative can email their details to ddapgi@gmail.com.