GMCH Chandigarh to begin MD Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases course

Chandigarh: Bringing good news to the postgraduate medical aspirants in Chandigarh, the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, is planning to start an MD programme in tuberculosis and respiratory diseases (TBRD).

Already, the Health Ministry has given its nod for four faculty positions for the recently inaugurated TBRD Department. The Ministry approval comes to strengthen the department with the appointment of one Professor, an Associate Professor and two Assistant Professors, adds Tribune India.

With the realisation of this project, GMCH-32 will become the single hospital in the region to start a specialised course for tuberculosis. 

As per the data shared by the Health Ministry last year, India had a total number of 45,471 MD, MS, and PG Diploma, 4,997 DM and MCh seats. Among these, Chandigarh had a total number of 473 MD/MS seats, and 105 DM/MCh seats.

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Now, as per the latest media report by Tribune India, GMCH-32 is planning to start an MD course in tuberculosis and respiratory diseases (TBRD). Such a move comes at a time when for the year 2023, the city has the highest TB notification rate in the country. It recorded 475 cases per 1,00,000 population.

Commenting on the matter, the Head of the Pulmonary Medicine Department, Dr. Varinder Saini mentioned that the TBRD Department operates at the Section 48 hospital and conducts three OPDs weekly, complemented by two OPDs at the GMCH-32. Therefore, in order to enhance the operational efficiency, additional staff is required. 

Dr. Saini further added the department's exclusive focus on TB patients and also revealed the plans to start an MD programme in the department, for which the National Medical Commission's approval is still pending.

Meanwhile, the Director of GMCH, Dr. AK Attri emphasised the hospital's commitment to provide improved options. Currently, the institute hosts three super-speciality DM courses in neurology, urology, and CTVS.

Apart from this, the GMCH also introduced a DNB Hospital Administration course with plans for an expansion of the seats. Therefore, with the recent approval for the faculties in the TBRD Department, it is expected that the patients will get some relief, especially because the department's OPD functions in Sector 48 hospital. Dr. Attri further mentioned that efforts are currently underway to introduce advanced and enhanced super-speciality services within the hospital.

Chandigarh-based GMCH-32, which also caters to patients referred from the neighbouring States of Punjab and Haryana is facing a growing demand for super-speciality services. 

In recent years, the hospital experienced a surge in the number of patients, prompting the launch of various super-speciality services. In order to streamline patient care, currently an effort is underway to establish a dedicated super-speciality block.

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