Chandigarh: In response to the escalating demand for expanded healthcare services for high-risk pregnancies and neonatal cases, the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) Chandigarh, has announced plans to hire 95 new faculty members for its upcoming Advanced Mother and Child Centre (AMCC).
During a recent meeting of the standing academic committee, the proposal to create various faculty positions for the AMCC was given the green signal. This includes the recruitment of 21 assistant professors, 35 senior residents, and 39 junior residents.
Despite facing constraints in terms of space and resources, the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, along with the Neonatology unit at PGIMER, have been extending their services to multiple states, including western Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan.
Currently, PGIMER's existing facilities fall short of providing optimal care to approximately two-thirds of women and newborns in need, leading to the referral of nearly 3,000 high-risk cases elsewhere due to space limitations. With the proposal's approval, the institute aims to address this gap as the number of deliveries has risen significantly from 3,300 in 1990 to over 6,000 presently, with an anticipated surge to nearly 10,000 upon the centre’s establishment, reports
Hindustan Times.
The proposal underscores the significant increase in outpatient visits for antenatal care, surging from 28,000 in 2012 to over 41,000 presently, signifying a notable surge in demand for services. Additionally, the influx of low birth weight and high-risk neonates requiring NICU care has risen by over 250% in the past 15 years. The number of sick newborns referred to PGIMER has also witnessed a substantial rise.
These infants are admitted to PGIMER for specialized care such as incubator support, ventilator assistance, and multi-organ care. However, due to bed shortages, many neonates are unable to secure a NICU bed. Currently, the hospital receives nearly 3,500 sick neonates annually in need of NICU care.
According to the Daily, the AMCC aims to address this shortfall by significantly expanding the number of beds and facilities, including an increase in neonatal care beds from 40 to 104, and obstetric beds from 42 to 150. With the establishment of the AMCC, it is expected that maternal, neonatal, and infant mortality rates will decrease, providing much-needed relief to the population of northern states that rely on PGIMER as a referral centre. Pankaj Rai, deputy director at PGIMER, confirmed that the centre will be operational by December 31.
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