OPD and IPD Services Likely to Begin by March; Emergency Shift After CT, MRI Installation
Chandigarh: The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has secured environmental and fire safety clearances for its much-awaited Neurosciences Centre, paving the way for the facility to become operational. The institute plans to begin outpatient (OPD) and inpatient (IPD) services at the centre by March this year.
The Advanced Neurosciences Centre is envisioned as a state-of-the-art facility aimed at addressing the growing shortage of neurologists and neurosurgeons in the country. Once fully functional, it is expected to significantly enhance specialised neurological care in the region.
Confirming the development, PGIMER Deputy Director (Administration) Pankaj Rai stated that while all mandatory approvals have been obtained, the launch of emergency services depends on the installation and commissioning of CT scan and MRI machines. The institute is therefore considering a phased rollout of services, according to a report by The Indian Express.
Initially, OPD and IPD services for neurology and neurosurgery patients will start at the new centre. However, emergency neurological services will continue to function from the existing Nehru Hospital building until the imaging equipment becomes fully operational.
Rai emphasised that emergency neurological care cannot safely operate without CT and MRI facilities, as these are crucial for diagnosing and managing severe head injuries, strokes, and other critical neurological conditions. Once the machines are installed and functional, emergency services will be shifted to the new building.
Currently, most neurology patients, especially those with head injuries, are admitted to the trauma centre. With the Neurosciences Centre becoming functional, such cases will be shifted there, easing pressure on the trauma centre and enabling expansion of trauma and emergency OPD services.
The six-storey facility has a capacity of approximately 300 beds and will house neurology and neurosurgery departments under one roof. It is expected to cater not only to patients from Chandigarh but also from across north India, where demand for specialised neurological care continues to rise.
PGIMER data reflects the increasing patient load, with neurology OPD visits rising from 44,862 in 2021 to 68,457 in 2022 and further to 82,587 in 2023. The institute is also in the process of procuring advanced medical equipment, including AI-based technologies, to further strengthen diagnostic and treatment capabilities at the new centre.
