Chandigarh:

A single theme workshop on Neonatal Sepsis (meaning serious infections in newborn babies) is currently underway at the Advanced Pediatric Centre, PGIMER, Chandigarh. 100 delegates from all over India are attending this workshop. On the second day of the workshop, several important lectures were delivered followed by case discussions of real-life cases of newborn babies with serious infections.

The second day’s proceedings started with a talk on newborn meningitis (infection of the covering of the brain) by the organising secretary of the workshop, Prof Sourabh Dutta. He stressed that the occurrence of meningitis is more common in the newborn period than in any other age group. The consequences of missing a diagnosis of meningitis or undertreating meningitis are devastating and lifelong. A sample of spinal fluid has to be analysed for diagnosing meningitis.

Dr Sajan Saini spoke about a dangerous but rare complication of meningitis called ventriculitis. In this the central fluid spaces inside the brain get infected. This disease requires prolonged periods of antibiotics and long hospitalisation. There are typical changes on MRI of the brain and ultrasound of the brain which help to identify this dreaded complication.

Dr Nandkishor Kabra spoke about urinary tract infections in newborn babies. He said that paediatricians need to look more actively for urinary infections in newborn babies than what they are currently doing. To be able to get a clean sample of the urine without contamination, the urine has to be collected either by catheterisation of the urinary bladder or by inserting a needle in the urinary bladder. A diagnosis of urinary infection may require further investigations such as ultrasounds of the kidneys.

Prof Deepak Chawla spoke about non-antibiotic ancilliary treatments and preventive strategies of newborn infections. These included several innovative approaches such as the application of colostrum (mother’s first thick milk) in the oral cavity and throat of newborn babies, using probiotics (friendly bacteria), lactoferrin (an anti-infective component of human milk), oil application etc.
Prof Praveen Kumar, the head of the neonatal unit and the chairperson of the workshop, spoke about the important topic of antibiotic stewardship.

Antibiotic stewardship refers to a coordinated set of strategies aimed at optimising the use of antibiotics to improve patient outcomes, reduce antimicrobial resistance and minimise adverse events and unnecessary healthcare costs. Antibiotic stewardship involves having written down policies and audit procedures to ensure that antibiotics are used sparingly and rationally in a neonatal unit, they are proactively and immediately stopped when they are not required.

Dr Jogender Kumar and Dr Harsimran Kaur jointly presented an important talk on fungal infections in newborn babies. The incidence of fungal infections is gradually rising in India, especially among smaller hospitals and neonatal units, which is a matter of grave concern. Dr Joginder Kumar spoke about when to suspect and diagnose fungal infections and how to treat them effectively. Dr Harsimran Kaur dealt with the issues of laboratory diagnosis of fungal infections among newborn babies. PGI has one of the most advanced mycology (study of fungal diseases) centres in the country.

The highlight of the 2nd day of the workshop were 3 case discussions of actual newborn babies who had been managed for severe newborn infections in the PGIMER unit in recent times. Identification details of these babies were anonymized but all their clinical and laboratory details were discussed at length with the delegates.

Chandigarh:

The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in collaboration with AMRIT Pharmacy has reported a serious incident involving the misuse of a stolen indent book and counterfeit stamps to divert medications intended for patients enrolled in the Ayushman Bharat cashless schemes.

The unauthorized individual was apprehended on February 18, 2025, and subsequently handed over to local police authorities for further investigation.

In response to this fraudulent activity, PGIMER and AMRIT have jointly filed a formal complaint with the relevant law enforcement agencies and have established an internal committee tasked with investigating the matter and providing recommendations to prevent future occurrences.

As part of our commitment to safeguarding the integrity of our healthcare services, PGIMER is implementing the following immediate measures:

Transition to Online Indenting System: The existing manual indenting system for patients under cashless schemes will be discontinued and replaced with a secure online indenting process. The Computer Section of PGIMER, in collaboration with the internal committee, has developed a solution to be integrated into the existing Hospital Information System (HIS 1). We anticipate this transition will be completed within one week.

Dedicated Service Area for Cashless Beneficiaries: A designated area outside the Emergency department has been identified for AMRIT to exclusively serve beneficiaries of cashless schemes, including Ayushman Bhara

Enhanced Manpower for improved service : PGIMER will work with AMRIT to increase staffing levels to ensure that medications and implants processed through the new online system are delivered directly to patients at their bedside.

PGIMER is committed to provide quality medical care and is assisting the police authorities in every way in their efforts to find the culprits trying to exploit PGIMER and tarnish its image.

Chandigarh:

Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable irreversible blindness, and the figures are increasing. One in each 200 people, aged 40, has glaucoma, and the number rises to one in 8, aged 80. As the world ages, and the population increases as well, glaucoma is becoming more and more common. Currently, glaucoma affects approximately 80 million people around the world, about half of whom are unaware that they have the disease and may not have access to much needed care This number is forecasted to increase in the coming years, as over 111.8 million people will be impacted by glaucoma by 2040.
Our country, second most populated country, bears a huge chunk of patients, every 8th individual or nearly 40 million has either glaucoma or is at risk of developing the disease. 11.2 million Indians suffer from the disease with 1.1 million blinds, including children.
Most often glaucoma cause silent vision loss as the patient will not be symptomatic till the moderate to an advanced stage and the vision loss can’t be regained. Early recognition and treatment are at most important to prevent the progression of glaucoma. Thus, the earlier it is diagnosed, the less damage is done.
For decades the Advanced Eye Centre, PGIMER (top most institute in the region), Chandigarh, has been working to raise the awareness about glaucoma and importance of the prevention. Today (March 9, 2025) The advanced Eye Centre has conducted a series event under the leadership of Prof Surinder Singh Pandav, the Chief of department and events were a huge success. The program started with an awareness walk begun from Rock Garden Chandigarh at 7.30 am with the slogan of “Uniting for Glaucoma Free world”. The event was graced by the presence of Padmashri Prof. Jagat Ram former director PGIMER and other dignitaries. We have participation of large number of health workers from various sections form the PGIMER, GMCH-32 and people from various like Chandigarh Ophthalmological Society and Glaucoma Support group Chandigarh, and Lions Club Chandigarh.
Following conclusion of awareness walk at Sukhna Lake Chandigarh by 8.0 am the slogan was again highlighted by a glaucoma awareness skit by Chandigarh Theatre group under the guidance of Mr Rajeev Mehta. The skit was really an eye opener for public gathered at Sukhna Lake and conveyed the message of requirement of glaucoma screening and treatment. This occasion has graced by the participation of more than 180 people.

Chandigarh:

The Annual meeting of obstetrics & Gynaecology Society of Northern India was conducted successfully at PGI on 9th March 2025 under the aegis of FOGSI. This annual meeting proved to be an academic bonanza and was attended in large numbers both by practicing gynecologists and postgraduate residents. The honorable Director, PGI Chandigarh graced the occasion and motivated the students to “sweat themselves “to gain maximum touch with the patients in their residency days.
The endoscopic surgical video session demonstrating the hysteroscopic and laparoscopic technique in benign and malignant gynecological conditions was a treat to watch. The present chairperson of ICOG, the academic wing of FOGSI, Dr Parag Biniwale congratulated the organizing team about the excellent scientific program. The immediate past president of ICOG, Dr Parul Kotdawala from Ahmedabad joined the gathering at PGI and shared videos from his three-decade long experience of hysteroscopic procedures. The updates and advances in gynecological cancers were covered in detail by stalwarts in the field of surgical oncology, radiation oncology and medical oncology while the pathologists presented their insights about the same. The postgraduate students were awarded for their poster and oral presentations. Overall, this conference, dedicated to women’s health was a true celebration of International Women’s Day.