Chandigarh: PGIMER Director Dr Vivek Lal unveiled an ambitious roadmap to redefine patient experience and hospital functioning, with the highlight being the announcement of a smart mobile application developed in collaboration with C-DAC Noida. The upcoming app, expected to be launched by the end of the year, will integrate real-time indoor mapping, QR code-based patient identification, and crowd management features to streamline hospital navigation and reduce wait times. “This app will transform how we serve our patients and manage hospital systems. It is designed to make hospital visits smoother, more efficient, and patient-friendly,” stated Prof Lal while talking to Journalists in Chandigarh.

Chandigarh, May 21 –Haryana Education Minister, Sh Mahipal Dhanda said that Haryana is the first state in the country to implement the National Education Policy 2020. The goal of this policy is to provide students in government schools with better facilities and an improved learning environment. It is also the responsibility of teachers to work diligently and focus on the progress of weaker students. The Minister expressed happiness over the 85% result in the 12th examination of the Haryana Board of School Education. The results included a remarkable 96% pass rate in English, 99% in Hindi, and 98% in Mathematics.

Sh Dhanda congratulated the principals of schools that achieved outstanding results and advised schools with lower performance to put in extra effort to improve their teaching methods, ensuring better results in the coming year. He assured that there would be no shortage of teachers in government schools and added that during the summer vacation, teachers would visit villages and cities for 10 days each to encourage more children to attend government schools.

The Education Minister was chairing a review meeting with senior officials of the Education Department, DEOs, BEOs, and school principals here to discuss the results of the 10th and 12th board examinations of government schools. During the meeting, he congratulated the principals of the top 10 performing schools and learned from their successful experiences. At the same time, he addressed the principals of the 10 schools with lower results, guiding them on the necessary steps for improvement.

He emphasized that schools with lower results would be paired with schools that performed well in order to foster collaboration and enhance their performance for next year’s exams.

To further improve the examination results of government schools, the Education Minister said that board examination papers from the last 10 years would be made available online and offline for student practice. Additionally, supplementary classes and doubt-solving sessions will be organized after school hours to strengthen academic support and exam preparation. State and district-level exhibitions will also be held to encourage scientific thinking and creativity among students.

Principal Secretary School Education Department, Pankaj Aggarwal, Director Secondary Education, Jitendra Dahiya, along with DEOs, BEOs, and school principals, were present at the meeting.

Chandigarh, May 15:-*

As part of its ongoing Save Water campaign, the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh has intensified action against water wastage by issuing challans and notices to violators across the city.

During last one month from 15th April to 15th May, 2025,  total 1,202 notices and 88 challans were issued against the violators. This move underscores the Corporation’s strict stance on preventing water wastage, especially in the run-up to the monsoon season.

While speaking about the drive against water wastage, Sh. Amit Kumar, IAS, Commissioner, MC Chandigarh said that the Corporation has put all efforts to save drinking water from wastage I.e. washing of vehicles and watering lawns specially in the morning hours when peak hours of water consumption in the city. He said that the MCC has also started making connections of TT water supply to the kanal houses for irrigation purposes.

He urged citizens to avoid water wastage, cooperate with enforcement efforts, and actively contribute to making Chandigarh a model city for water conservation.

Chandigarh:

In a dedicated effort to ensure an adequate blood supply for patients, the department of Transfusion Medicine conducted a blood donation camp on 14th May, 2025 under the guidance of Prof. R.R. Sharma at Community Center, Manimajra in association with Chandigarh Municipal Corporation under the leadership of Dr. Suchet Sachdev and collected 42 blood units.

Another was at Community Centre, Sector 28, Chandigarh in association with Chandigarh Municipal Corporation under the leadership of Dr. Ekta Paramjit and collected 75 blood units. The Department of Transfusion Medicine, PGIMER, Chandigarh expresses its sincere gratitude to all its volunteer donors who came forward to donate on the occasion. The donated blood and components help in catering the needs of the critically ill patients in the institute.

The Department of Transfusion Medicine will continue its life-saving mission with the next blood donation camp scheduled on May 15, 2025 , in association with Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. The camp will be held at Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Nalagarh , starting from 10:00 a.m. onwards. For any queries, interested individuals may contact the Senior Resident from PGIMER at +91-70870-08834 or Yash Pal at +91-98055-22224 . All eligible individuals are encouraged to participate in this noble initiative and contribute to saving lives.

Chandigarh:

Widening the ambit of Farishtey scheme, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann also gave nod to include war and terrorist affected victims under this scheme.

A decision to this effect was taken in the meeting of Council of Ministers held here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister at his official residence.

Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister office said in order to provide immediate hassle-free medical treatment to victims of War and terrorist activities in Government / empaneled private hospitals in the State, to save precious lives and to encourage the general public to bring the War victims and terrorist activities to the nearest government and empaneled private hospitals, coverage under the Farishtey Scheme 2024 has been expanded. This will provide coverage for victims of war and terrorist activities, ensuring comprehensive support and relief to affected individuals. This expansion reinforces the state government’s commitment to help those facing extraordinary hardships due to such events.

The primary objective of move  is to lower down the mortality and morbidity rates resulting from injuries sustained in war and terrorist activities.  The government aims to provide immediate, hassle-free treatment in the available Government/ empaneled Private hospitals under Farishtay scheme. Additionally, to encourage the common people to come forth and help such victims so that timely treatment may save the lives of the victims who require medical attention. This scheme shall be incentivized with cash rewards, commendation certificates describing them as

“FARISHTEY,” and providing immunity from legal complications and police inquiries.

Chandigarh: Bharatiya Janata Party’s Chandigarh State President Jitender Pal Malhotra has appealed to the residents of the city to extend full cooperation in the mock drill being organized by the Chandigarh Administration. He emphasized that such drills are crucial for assessing preparedness and strengthening disaster management systems.

Malhotra stated, “A mock drill is not just a formality—it is a serious exercise that ensures both the administration and the public are ready to respond effectively in any emergency situation.”

He urged the citizens to remain calm and responsible during the drill, follow all official instructions, and avoid spreading or reacting to rumors. He expressed confidence that the people of Chandigarh, known for their awareness and discipline, would support the administration wholeheartedly in this important safety initiative.

Chandigarh, April 17, 2025: A team of doctors at Fortis Hospital Mohali led by Dr RK Jaswal, Head of Department and Director of Cardiology and Director – Cathlabs has recently treated an 88-year-old diabetic man, who had been suffering from prolonged coronary artery disease and was experiencing severe chest pain. The patient was immediately rushed for Laser Coronary Angioplasty, also known as Excimer Laser Coronary Angioplasty (ELCA), which revealed heavy calcium deposits in the stent deployed more than 30 years ago in his heart’s coronary arteries, along with thrombus (blood clot) andsevere blockage of stent.

The Patiala-based patient had undergone angioplasty about 30 years ago in New Delhi. The stent blockage with heavy calcium deposit and clot formation inside the stent were causing severe chest pain and discomfort in him. However, the symptoms were severe and recurrent despite optimal medical management. Since the patient was in critical condition, none of the hospitals in Patiala admitted him and took the risk of performing any high risk cardiac intervention. His family members immediately rushed him to the Fortis Hospital, Mohali for the advanced treatment options.

Considering the patient’s age and critical condition, Dr Jaswal conducted Laser Coronary Angioplasty, wherein high-intensity laser light was used to remove blockages in his blocked coronary arteries, without wasting any further time. This procedure is the latest and most advanced technology for patients suffering from multiple heart blockages in previously deployed stent. The Patient had a smooth post-operative recovery and was discharged within two days after the surgery.

Discussing the benefits of ELCA in such critical cases, Dr Jaswal, said, “ELCA is a breakthrough in heart treatment. Unlike routine angioplasty, which can lead to the sudden blockage of arteries and clot formation, ELCA completely annihilates the material blocking the heart arteries, leaving no risk of further complications. This makes it a safer and more effective option, especially for patients with high clot loads or those who have previously undergone stent treatments. For patients with complex coronary heart disease, including small vessel disease, bifurcation blockages, and those with failed stents or bypass grafts, ELCA is a game-changer. It reopens blocked arteries more effectively, providing relief where traditional methods fall short and reducing the chances of future heart attacks.”

Dr Jaswal further added, “Laser is extremely helpful in patients who have undergone bypass surgery in the past and come back with heart diseases again due to blocked bypass grafts. In such cases, laser can restore blood flow in the degenerated grafts much more effectively than routine angioplasty and stenting with distal protection device.”

About Fortis Healthcare

Fortis Healthcare Limited – an IHH Healthcare Berhad Company – is a leading integrated healthcare services provider in India. It is one of the largest healthcare organizations in the country with 27 healthcare facilities, ~4,700 operational beds (including O&M facilities), and over 400 diagnostics centers (including JVs). The Company is listed on the BSE Ltd and National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India. It draws strength from its partnership with a global major and parent company – IHH, to build upon its culture of world-class patient care and superlative clinical excellence. Fortis employs over 23,000 people (including Agilus Diagnostics Limited) who share its vision of becoming the world’s most trusted healthcare network. Fortis offers a full spectrum of integrated healthcare services ranging from clinics to quaternary care facilities and a wide range of ancillary services.