NEW DELHI, Feb 19: A delegation of 11 senior journalists representing leading newspapers and prominent electronic, print, and digital media platforms from Rajasthan visited the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research under the aegis of Press Information Bureau, Jaipur.
The delegation was received by *Prof. Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent, PGIMER,* who presented a comprehensive overview of the Institute's clinical services, patient care systems, and ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening public healthcare delivery.
*Dr. Navin Pandey, Additional Professor, Department of Hospital Administration* , briefed the delegation on the implementation and impact of Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana at PGIMER. Under the scheme, *PGIMER, Chandigarh has treated a cumulative 1,96,000 beneficiaries since 2019* , firmly positioning itself among the country's leading public-sector tertiary care institutions implementing AB-PMJAY.
Specialty-wise distribution highlights PGIMER's focus on advanced and resource-intensive care, with *Medical Oncology accounting for 56,080 beneficiaries, followed by General Medicine (42,870), Cardiology (15,050), Neurosurgery (13,500), Orthopaedics (11,220), and Kidney Transplantation (211) etc.* These figures underscore the Institute's pivotal role in delivering life-saving and complex procedures under a publicly funded health assurance framework.
State-wise analysis further reinforces PGIMER's status as a national referral centre. Punjab accounts for *46% of total beneficiaries, followed by Haryana (20%), Himachal Pradesh (9%), Uttar Pradesh (7%), Jammu & Kashmir (6%), Chandigarh (4%), and other states (8%)* . This broad geographic representation reflects sustained public trust and accessibility to high-end tertiary and quaternary care services.
The delegation was also briefed about the *Poor Patient Welfare Fund* , which supports indigent patients requiring critical treatment. It was informed that the Hon'ble Punjab & Haryana High Court, in certain cases, has directed offenders to deposit penalties or compensation amounts into the Fund to facilitate advanced treatment for economically disadvantaged patients at PGIMER. |
