Physical OPDs at PGI-Chandigarh only through appointment

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 6

With a sharp rise in Covid cases, the PGI has decided to run physical OPDs only through appointment system from January 10. The timing for the registration will be from 8 am to 9:30 am.

It will be followed in all OPDs — New OPD, Advanced Eye Centre, Advanced Cardiac Centre, Advanced Paediatrics Centre, Drug De-addiction Treatment Centre (DDTC) and Oral Health Sciences Centre (dental OPD).

“Overcrowding carries the risk of outbreak of Covid-19 among patients, attendants and healthcare workers in the OPD areas of the institute. Hence, it has been decided that tele-consultation will be used as the first point of contact between patients and doctors. Patients will be evaluated first through tele-consultation and only those requiring further evaluation and examination will be called to the OPD by appointment from January 10 onwards. The primary objective behind this decision is to prevent the exposure of comorbid patients to Covid-19 infection,” the PGI said.

The institute requested people to visit the OPDs with prior appointment only and ensure that only one attendant accompanies a patient to the OPD.