PGI Chandigarh to expand Neurology Department with creation of 14 new resident doctor posts

Chandigarh: The proposal to create 14 new senior resident posts at the neurology department of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) Chandigarh has been approved. The aim is to manage the increasing patient load and introduce new services at the institute.

This initiative was proposed by PGIMER director Dr Vivek Lal during the 129th Standing Finance Committee (SFC) meeting on March 12 and has received the committee's approval. The addition of these 14 senior residents will involve an annual financial implication of approximately ₹1.79 crore.

Confirming the approval of the new posts, Dr Vivek Lal, PGIMER's director, and the head of the neurology department said, “The sanction and approval have been granted.” Following this, the institute is set to soon start its neurology department with 14 new senior resident doctors.

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Apart from the proposal of creating new resident doctor's posts, a proposal to upgrade the existing neurology department and shift it to the Advanced Neurosciences Centre (ANC) was also made.

As per the HT news report, Dr Lal’s proposal mentioned that "There has been an enormous increase in workload and they are going to shift the department to the Advanced Neurosciences Centre (ANC) where new services will be started while upgrading existing services.

Further, he mentioned the urgent need for new facilities, including an autonomic function test lab, as there is currently no such lab in northern India's leading institutes. The department also plans to start services such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a gait lab, a rehabilitation centre, neuro-immunology and neuro-genetic labs, neuro-critical care, and emergency neurology services, alongside upgrading existing facilities.

The proposal forecasts a fivefold increase in inpatient admissions and a significant rise in the outpatient department (OPD) capacity once the department relocates to the ANC and upgrades its services.

Furthermore, Dr Lal explained that "To meet these needs, the institute requires at least six more senior residents for emergency neurology services, another six for neurology critical care unit, and two more residents for various labs, totalling 14 senior residents. Presently, there are 22 sanctioned posts for DM students, but only 16 are in position."

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