Chandigarh: The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) has received a significant boost to its infrastructure with the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare granting approval to establish a new campus in Sarangpur. The new campus will be home to a range of advanced medical facilities, aimed at improving healthcare services and expanding PGI’s reach.
Key Features of the Sarangpur Campus:
- 100-seat MBBS College: A new medical college that will provide world-class education for MBBS students in the region.
- Trauma Centre: A 500-bed trauma centre, designed to handle emergency cases and provide immediate care to accident victims.
- Advanced Cancer Centre: A state-of-the-art 500-bed cancer treatment centre aimed at advancing cancer care and research.
- Multi-Level Parking: A parking facility capable of accommodating up to 3,000 cars, addressing the issue of space for patients and visitors.
PGI Director’s Statement
PGI Director, Prof. Vivek Lal, expressed his gratitude for the approval, highlighting that the project aligns with the government’s push for expanding medical services and improving cancer care. The approval, backed by Union Minister J P Nadda, is expected to significantly enhance PGI’s capacity to cater to the rising number of patients and provide advanced medical education.
Background and Expansion Plans
PGI, established in 1963, has been serving over 50,000 patients daily, causing strain on its existing resources and facilities. To address this, PGI had requested an additional 50.76 acres of land in Sarangpur for expansion, which was officially handed over by the Chandigarh administration in November 2021. The land was transferred on a leasehold basis for 33 years, valued at Rs 1,011.8 crore.
Additional Developments and Features
The expansion will also feature several other facilities, including:
- Specialised Centres: A GI and liver centre with 750 beds, an endocrinology and diabetes research centre, and more.
- Residential Area: 9 blocks with different housing types for doctors, including a married doctors’ hostel and a bachelor doctors’ hostel.
- Shopping Complex: A shopping complex for staff and visitors.
- Convention Centre: A seating capacity of 800 people for conferences and events.
The Road Ahead
PGI is now set to prepare a master plan for the campus expansion, which will be submitted for approval from local authorities. This major expansion promises to enhance patient care, medical education, and research capabilities, fulfilling the growing healthcare needs of the region.
