2 years on, new ICU at Chandigarh's GMCH remains non-functional due to staff shortage
2
Chandigarh: A newly constructed intensive care unit (ICU) at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Chandigarh has remained non-functional for over two years since its completion, raising concerns about critical care capacity in the region.
The facility, intended to bolster the hospital's intensive care capabilities significantly, was only recently utilised as an isolation ward, admitting an H3N2 patient this week.
The GMCH administration attributed the prolonged delay in making the ICU operational to a severe shortage of essential ancillary staff and nurses. While the sophisticated equipment procured for the new unit was reportedly repurposed and distributed among other existing ICUs within the hospital, the critical lack of human resources prevented the dedicated unit from becoming fully functional as an ICU.
Prof GP Thami, medical superintendent, GMCH, acknowledged the staffing challenge. "We have a shortage of nursing staff, and the recruitment shall start once Panjab University conducts the entrance examination," he said.
Sources within the hospital indicate that the four-bedded ICU was initially designated for the newly established cardiothoracic surgery department. However, its operation ceased shortly after a senior doctor from that department departed.
Prof Sanjeev Palta, head of the anaesthesiology department, elaborated on the severity of the staffing crisis: "We have a deficit of 400 nursing staff, and according to ICU norms, eight nursing staff are required per day, shift-wise, excluding other ancillary staff, which is also deficient.
"
The non-operational status of such a critical unit comes at a time when hospitals across the region are already struggling with high demand for ICU beds, often resulting in long waiting lists for patients in need of intensive care.
A staff member voiced frustration, questioning the planning: "When the ICU was made, why were the posts not filled simultaneously? How could the proposal of the ICU be accepted in the absence of sufficient staff?" The cost of establishing an ICU runs into crores, with daily operational costs in private hospitals reaching lakhs, underscoring the significant investment lying dormant.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Time of India
Over half of lung cancer patients in Nagpur are non-smokers: GMCH study
1 2 Nagpur: In a shocking revelation on Lung Cancer Day (August 1), doctors at the respiratory medicine department of the Super Specialty Hospital attached to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Nagpur reported that more than half of their lung cancer patients never smoked. A study of 150 patients conducted by the department found that 52% were non-smokers, pointing to air pollution and environmental exposure as major new culprits behind this deadly disease. "It is a serious misconception that only smokers get lung cancer. Our study showed that over half of the patients never smoked in their life, yet developed this deadly disease. Pollution and other environmental toxins are silently damaging healthy lungs," said Dr Sushant Meshram, head of the respiratory medicine department. The hospital recorded 440 lung cancer cases in the last four years, many of them reaching doctors only at stage 4 or 5, when treatment becomes more difficult and survival chances drop significantly. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Cancer Registry Programme, lung cancer is among the top five cancers in India and causes a higher number of deaths than most other cancers. While smoking remains a major risk, the GMCH study shows that pollution and environmental toxins now pose an equal, if not greater, threat. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Skip the Debt Trap: These Degrees Actually Pay Off Best Paying Degrees | Search Ads Learn More Undo by Taboola by Taboola The study also found that 45% of patients were smokers, 52% were non-smokers, 78% were aged over 50, and 13% were under 40. "This isn't just a disease of smokers or the elderly anymore. Even younger people and non-smokers are at real risk," Dr Meshram warned. "While chemotherapy remains important, advanced therapies like targeted therapy and immunotherapy are improving outcomes in many cases," added Dr Kapil Raut, consultant medical oncologist. Doctors have stressed the need for early screening, strict pollution control, and increased public awareness to tackle this silent health crisis. BOX Lung Cancer Key Facts: GMCH Nagpur Study - 440 lung cancer cases in 4 years at GMCH - 52% non-smokers among 150 patients studied - 45% had a history of smoking - 78% were aged 50 and above - 13% were aged under 40 - Air pollution now a major cause, not just smoking
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Health secretary tells officials to step up surveillance to contain measles spread
Nashik: State health secretary Dr Nipun Vinayak on Tuesday told civil surgeons and district health officials from Jalgaon, Dhule and Nandurbar to step up surveillance for measles symptoms and enforce isolation measures following an outbreak at a govt-aided ashramshala. Thirty-seven ashramshala students were admitted to Government Medical College and Hospital in Jalgaon with measles-like symptoms. Of them, four have tested positive for the infection so far. Officials who attended the meeting said Dr Vinayak told them to track all students and implement home isolation and treatment as needed, particularly in the villages where the students resided. "The health secretary reviewed the reports by district health departments and told officials to intensify the surveillance in talukas and villages where the students resided and would return to after Jalgaon collector declared a measles outbreak. Their vaccination reports are to be examined too," Jalgaon district health officer Dr Sachin Bhayekar said. The officer said standard measles vaccination guidelines typically targeted children up to five years old. "Given the age range of the affected students (6-15 years), govt will determine a separate vaccination plan for them," he said. Dhule district health officer Dr Sachin Bodke said the ashramshala students hailed only from Shirpur taluka, and the teams reached the homes of more than 50 of the 89 students. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "On Monday, one student with measles-like symptoms was admitted to GMCH, Dhule, while three others were admitted to the sub-district hospital. All are stable and recuperating. Besides, the students who have reached their homes are being monitored. We are taking help of religious leaders, community leaders and sarpanch to carry out the vaccination of the children below 5 years of age and who might have missed any of the two doses," Dr Bodke said. The major issue faced by health officials is about the migratory population in the remote villages of the taluka, who cross over to Madhya Pradesh and other districts in search of employment. Dr Ravindra Jadhav, Nandurbar district health officer, said, "The students were yet to reach homes from Jalgaon. All the students who come home will be screened for health conditions at primary health centres, after which those exhibiting symptoms will be treated. The rest of the students will be kept under isolation at their homes." Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that causes a rash and flu-like symptoms. It's spread through respiratory droplets and can be serious, even deadly, especially for young children and those with weakened immune systems.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
GMCH saves all snakebite patients this year; timely treatment and anti-venom crucial
1 2 Nagpur: As Maharashtra gears up to celebrate Nag Panchami on Tuesday — a festival deeply rooted in reverence for snakes and Lord Shiva — the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH)-Nagpur has shared a positive update: all 179 snakebite victims treated at the hospital this year survived, thanks to timely medical intervention and effective anti-venom therapy. "Every single snakebite case brought to GMCH from January to July this year was successfully treated," said Dr Avinash Gawande, medical superintendent, GMCH, and added, "This highlights that snakebites are fully treatable if the victim is brought to a hospital on time. We have the necessary anti-venom stock and trained staff ready round the clock." "People think snakes are only found in forests or villages, but during monsoon, they can be spotted in cities — in gardens, bathrooms, storerooms, even schools," said Vanita Borade, India's first woman snake conservator, who recently conducted a snake awareness workshop in Buldhana ahead of Nag Panchami. Speaking at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Auditorium of Zilla Parishad Buldhana, Borade stressed that while people worship snakes as divine beings on Nag Panchami, the same respect must extend beyond rituals. "Killing snakes is illegal under the Wildlife Protection Act. Instead of panic reaction, we need scientific understanding and awareness. We should be celebrating snakes, not just on Nag Panchami, but every day by conserving biodiversity and preventing both snake and human deaths," she said. The workshop, organised by the district administration, included live demonstrations on identifying venomous vs non-venomous snakes, bite prevention, and first aid. Officials and employees of the Zilla Parishad attended the seminar and echoed the importance of such sessions in busting myths and promoting coexistence. "The message that 'environment is life' and that snakes deserve protection was loud and clear," said ZP CEO Gulabrao Khirat, who organised the coordination meeting and workshop. Significance of Nag Panchami First major festival in the Hindu calendar's festive season Dedicated to the worship of snakes, especially cobras, which are considered sacred People are advised to worship symbolic images or drawings of snakes, not live snakes Snakes do not drink milk — it's a myth: milk can actually harm snakes The deeper message of Nag Panchami is snake conservation and harmony with nature Killing snakes is illegal under the Wildlife Protection Act
