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Indian Express
07-07-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
62 years of healing: PGI geared up for landmark Institute Foundation Day
The PGIMER, Chandigarh, is set to celebrate its 62nd Institute Foundation Day on July 7, 2025, marking over six decades of dedicated service in medical education, research, and patient care. The institute will host Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Health Research and Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research, as the chief guest, and he will deliver the keynote address, 'Creating more physicians, scientists and innovators in leading medical institutes'. A distinguished physician-scientist specialising in paediatrics and public health, Dr Bahl has been a leading figure in maternal and child health research for over 30 years. His work has supported multi-country research in Asia and Africa, and has strengthened research capacity across more than 50 institutions worldwide. Joining him as the guest of honour is Dr D Behera, Professor Emeritus at PGIM and president of the National Academy of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. With over 40 years of experience, Dr Behera is a renowned respiratory specialist, former dean at PGIMER, and a leader in lung cancer research. Founded in 1961 with the concurrence of the Planning Commission, PGIMER commenced operations in 1962 and was formally inaugurated on July 7, 1963, by the then prime minister Pt Jawaharlal Nehru. Recognised as an institute of national importance in 1967, PGIMER Chandigarh has been at the forefront of medical innovation and patient care, contributing to national health initiatives under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Spanning an expansive area of 277 acres, the institute is a hub of medical excellence with a dedicated workforce of 11,847 employees, including 728 esteemed faculty members and around 1,300 academic resident doctors across 47 specialised departments and 10 centres of excellence. The institute has a capacity of 2,233 beds, including 207 ICU beds and 73 operating theatres, facilitating comprehensive healthcare services. Annually, PGI caters to approximately 10,000 outpatient visits daily, totalling around three million visits, with 200,000 admissions for both long-term and day-care treatments, alongside 80,000 surgeries encompassing major and minor procedures. The paediatric emergency services handle about 10,000 cases annually, supported by a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) admitting 800 patients per year. The institute offers services across 160 specialities and super-specialities, supported by numerous laboratories and advanced diagnostic facilities. Its commitment to continuously upgrading technology is reflected in the availability of cutting-edge equipment such as a 384-slice dual-source CT scan, advanced PET and CT facilities, metabolic and genetic laboratories, vascular intervention labs, and MRI machines. Patient care remains the institute's top priority, guided by the motto, 'Service with Sacrifice.' Its commitment to accessible healthcare is reflected in its extensive outreach through government schemes such as Ayushman Bharat, benefiting over 1.55 lakh beneficiaries.
Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
COVID cases: Know about the daily wellness routine to stay prepared and healthy
COVID cases are rising, and there are a lot of concerns about the increasing numbers. There's also a variant, which raises questions about its severity and what it means. But instead of panicking, staying well-informed is the first line of protection. With appropriate, reliable information and by staying calm, one can easily navigate this phase with confidence. From knowing the ideal wellness routine to understanding the latest strain, you can stay prepared, protected and proactive during this uncertain COVID season. HT Lifestyle reached out to experts to understand the latest COVID-19 developments about the emerging variant, along with practical ways to stay prepared. Prof. (Dr) Balram Bhargava, former Director General of ICMR and Secretary of the Department of Health Research, who played a central role in managing the COVID-19 response in India, shared with HT Lifestyle about one of the emerging variants and what it means. 'The emergence of the XFG variant is part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus's natural evolution. XFG carries mutations which may enhance its ability to bind to human cells and bypass immune defences. Early reports suggest that the variant has high immune escape potential, but there is no current evidence to indicate increased severity." Amid rising COVID-19 cases and concerns over the new XFG variant, Dr Bhargava assured about India's diagnostic infrastructure. He said, "However, as the virus adapts, so has India's diagnostic infrastructure adapted since the very first wave. RT-PCR remains the cornerstone of COVID-19 diagnostics, and the widespread deployment of rapid molecular platforms like Truenat puts India in a strong position to detect and contain emerging variants swiftly, even in remote and resource-limited settings. Point-of-care testing played a crucial role during the pandemic then, and it continues to be a frontline tool for detecting emerging variants like XFG. Vigilance is critical now, and do not panic. As we've done in the past, we should continue testing when symptomatic, masking in crowded spaces, and staying up to date with vaccinations.' Now that you are aware of the emerging XFG variant and what it means, let's focus on staying healthy and building immunity. Dr Bharesh Dedhia, Consultant, Intensive Care at P.D. Hinduja Hospital and MRC, Khar, shared a guide for a daily wellness routine: ALSO READ: COVID spiking again: Top 6 nutrients you need to include in your diet for better immunity Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
India well-equipped to swiftly detect, contain new COVID variants: Ex-ICMR DG Bhargava
New Delhi: The emergence of the XFG variant is part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus's natural evolution, said Prof. (Dr) Balram Bhargava , former of Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research ( ICMR ) and former Secretary of the Department of Health Research. He added that India is well-positioned to detect and contain emerging variants swiftly due to the widespread deployment of rapid molecular diagnostic platforms such as Truenat . As of Tuesday morning, India has reported 6,815 active COVID-19 cases. According to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), 163 cases of the new COVID-19 variant XFG have recently been detected across the country. Dr Bhargava said that XFG variant carries mutations that may enhance its ability to bind to human cells and bypass immune defences. "Early reports suggest that the variant has high immune escape potential, but there is no current evidence to indicate increased severity. However, as the virus adapts, India's diagnostic infrastructure has adapted since the very first wave. RT-PCR remains the cornerstone of COVID-19 diagnostics, and the widespread deployment of rapid molecular platforms like Truenat puts India in a strong position to detect and contain emerging variants swiftly--even in remote and resource-limited settings," he said. Dr Bhargava, who played a key role in India's pandemic response, stressed the continued importance of point-of-care testing in identifying emerging variants such as XFG. "Vigilance is critical now, and not panic. As we've done in the past, we should continue testing when symptomatic, masking in crowded spaces, and staying up to date with vaccinations," he said.
New Indian Express
02-06-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Insurance premiums surpass health budget
NEW DELHI: In a stark indicator of India's shifting healthcare landscape, individual health insurance premiums have now exceeded the combined central government allocation for the Department of Health and Family Welfare and the Department of Health Research. An analysis of annual reports from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India and corresponding Union Budget documents shows that while insurance premium collections briefly dipped in the immediate post-pandemic years (2021–22 and 2022–23), they have since surged past the national health budget. Even when related spending by other ministries—such as Defence and Labour—is taken into account, India's total public health expenditure remains low: just around 2% of the Union Budget and 1.5% of GDP, falling short of the 2.5% target set by the National Health Policy. This trend signals more than a budgetary shift—it reflects a structural transformation in how healthcare is accessed and funded in India. Increasing reliance on private insurance points toward a market-driven model where care is increasingly linked to ability to pay, raising serious equity concerns, particularly for the uninsured and underinsured. Critics argue that insurance-based healthcare, especially when not backed by strong public infrastructure, can exacerbate inequalities. A large share of India's workforce remains in the informal sector and lacks access to comprehensive insurance. Public health facilities, meanwhile, continue to be underfunded and overstretched.
India.com
25-05-2025
- Health
- India.com
Covid in India BIG Updates: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi report cases, issue advisory to hospitals
File/Representational Covid in India: Covid-19 cases have been going up in parts of India. The spike in cases has prompted states to start preparations for the availability of beds, oxygen, medicines and vaccines to tackle any further surge in infections. Most of the Covid cases reported in various states are mild in nature and the patients are under home care, official sources said. Among states and UTs that have reported cases are Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi, which logged 23 infections on Friday and issued an advisory to hospitals. Among states and UTs that have reported cases are Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi, which logged 23 infections on Friday and issued an advisory to hospitals. The matter regarding COVID-19 cases was reviewed by the Union Health Secretary on Saturday with the Secretary, Department of Health Research (DHR) and Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), DGHS and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) etc.
