Chandigarh:
Bringing 2025 to a decisive and high-impact close, the Institute Body (IB) of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, met in New Delhi on 30th December under the chairmanship of Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Hon’ble Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare.
The meeting marked a defining moment in PGIMER’s growth trajectory, with the approval and endorsement of major academic, administrative and patient-centric initiatives aligned with national healthcare priorities.
The Institute Body formally recorded its appreciation for Operation Sindoor, recognising PGIMER’s exceptional institutional preparedness, seamless inter-departmental coordination and unwavering commitment to patient care during a critical operational response. The acknowledgement underscored the Institute’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to exigencies while upholding its core values of professionalism, compassion and public service.
The IB was also presented with a comprehensive Vision and Roadmap up to 2047, outlining PGIMER’s long-term strategy centred on clinical excellence, research leadership, academic expansion, digital transformation and inclusive, patient-centric healthcare delivery, fully aligned with India’s healthcare aspirations.
During the meeting, members were apprised of the progress and growing impact of Project SARATHI, PGIMER’s flagship volunteer-driven patient facilitation initiative. A short video presentation highlighted its role in enhancing patient experience, easing navigation within hospital systems and strengthening human connect in care delivery, while also showcasing its scalability and replicability. The initiative received strong appreciation from the Institute Body, with emphasis laid on the need for continued institutional support and patronage to sustain and expand its reach.
A major highlight of the meeting was the recognition of far-reaching digital reforms in procurement and supply systems. The Institute Body noted that the manual indenting system for drugs, consumables and implants through AMRIT Pharmacy has been completely replaced by a fully online, human-interaction-free system, effective 15 April 2025. With manual indent books and stamping entirely discontinued, the reform has already resulted in 1,33,528 online indents, facilitating the supply of approximately ₹70 crore worth of drugs, implants and consumables. This transition marks a significant leap in transparency, efficiency, accountability and audit readiness, reinforcing institutional integrity.
The Institute Body endorsed key academic expansion proposals, including the introduction of MDS courses in Conservative & Endodontics and Public Health & Preventive Dentistry, strengthening postgraduate dental education with a balanced focus on advanced restorative care and community-level oral health promotion.
Proposals to frame student–teacher ratio guidelines in parity with AIIMS, New Delhi were also approved, with ratios of 5:1 for DM/M.Ch. and fellowship programmes and 3:1 for MD/MS/MDS courses, ensuring academic rigor while safeguarding patient care amidst increasing clinical workload.
Addressing growing service demands, the IB considered and placed on record approvals for expansion in forensic and super-specialty training, including an increase in MD (Forensic Medicine) seats and the creation of 68 additional DM/M.Ch. seats across departments, in respo
nse to rising patient footfall and the need for advanced specialised care. Recognising a 12.8% to 800% surge in diagnostic services over the past decade and over 25% growth in new patient registrations, the Institute Body also considered the creation of 27 Junior Technician (Laboratory) posts, critical for sustaining diagnostic excellence.
Infrastructure strengthening through additional engineering posts for the Satellite Centre at Sangrur was also placed before the IB.
Faculty welfare measures featured prominently, with the Institute Body considering the grant of Higher Administrative Grade (HAG) to eligible Professors, including non-medical faculty, reinforcing academic parity, morale and institutional equity.
In a significant patient-support initiative, the IB was apprised of a proposal to collaborate with Aarogya Foundation for the construction and operation of a Vishram Sadan at Sarangpur, by earmarking 6,000 square metres of land at no financial cost to PGIMER, aimed at supporting attendants of patients.
The meeting concluded with a collective reaffirmation of PGIMER’s role as a national centre of excellence, committed to transparent governance, academic leadership and compassionate, patient-first care, under the guidance of the Hon’ble Union Health Minister.
