• 104-bed each both Covid hospitals with ICUs to be functional by May end
• 9 more new facilities also under works
CHANDIGARH, MAY 1:
In order to further ramp up the existing health infrastructure and create more hospital beds for the critical patients battling the devastating second Covid wave, the Punjab Government will set up two makeshift hospitals equipped with ICU facilities exclusively for Covid patients in Mohali and Bathinda. Besides, nine new smaller hospitals at various district hospitals were also coming up in the state.
This was disclosed by the Chief Secretary, Ms Vini Mahajan, after chairing a high-level meeting here on Saturday.
She directed the Medical Education and Research department to make functional both the new hospitals by the end of this month to ensure the best possible healthcare to the Covid patients in the state as per the mandate of the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.
Principal Secretary Medical Education and Research (PSMER), DK Tiwari, apprised the Chief Secretary that 2.66-acre land near refinery in Bathinda and 23000 sq ft land in Mohali has been identified for this purpose and both the hospitals will have the capacity of 104 beds each. The lifespan of these hospitals will be 25 years.
The implementation partner for raising Mohali hospital will be PSA-PM/ IITM through CSR funding and Mohali medical college will ensure coordination and procurement of the equipment. For Bathinda, the implementation partner CSIR/ CBRI will work with HMEL to ensure equipment procurement while funding will be made by the HMEL and coordination will be done by PSMER and BFUHS VC for procurement.
PSA-PMO Dr Sapna Poti informed that Mohali field survey has been done to set up the hospital within 3 to 4 weeks by using Madras IIT’s innovation which has already been replicated at 8 places. “Support of Murugappa/ Tata groups is being taken to ramp up the facilities,” she informed.
The Chief Secretary emphasised that all beds must have oxygen support to enhance Level-2 and Level-3 beds. “The number of beds needs to be increased with the support of Western Command and permissions for movement of products will be coordinated by the Medical Education department,” she added.
Col. Jasdeep Sandhu, Director, Civil Military Affairs, Western Command, informed that he has visited Mohali site and felt the need of utilising existing beds promptly as field hospital unit can move in 3 days.
AS Basu, COO-HEML, informed that the land adjoining the refinery has been vacated for 100 beds, work has started for oxygen pipeline, water and power supply, besides sewer connection.
Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare, Hussan Lal, said he has selected the sites in Mansa, Muktsar and Fazilka for strengthening the existing health facilities.
Later, the Chief Secretary also reviewed the status of oxygen supplies and availability in the state.
