Latest news with #VivekLal
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Health
- Business Standard
India's active Covid-19 cases fall under 6,000; three deaths in 24 hours
India's active Covid-19 caseload fell to 5,976 on Thursday, down from 6,483 the previous day, marking the third consecutive day of decline. Three deaths were reported in the past 24 hours, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Of the three fatalities, two were from Delhi and one from Kerala. All the deceased were elderly individuals with chronic health conditions. Active Covid-19 cases have declined across most states, with 507 fewer new infections reported on Wednesday. Delhi recorded the highest number of fresh cases in the past day, adding 12 infections and taking its active case count to 632. Kerala continues to report the highest number of active cases at 1,309, followed by Gujarat with 1,046. Maharashtra remains among the most affected states, with 5,443 active cases. Karnataka saw the largest single-day drop, with 187 fewer cases, while Rajasthan reported a decline of 83 cases in the same period. State Active Cases New Cases (Last 24 Hours) Deaths (Last 24 Hours) Kerala 1,309 -75 1 Maharashtra 443 -46 0 Gujarat 1,046 -59 0 Delhi 632 +12 2 Rajasthan 219 -83 0 Karnataka 466 -187 0 Tamil Nadu 187 -37 0 PGIMER: Covid-19 under control in India Covid-19 is currently under control in India, with no new cases reported over the past week, according to Dr Vivek Lal, Director of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER). Speaking to ANI, Dr Lal attributed the decline in cases to the robust vaccination drive led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 'We are fully prepared for Covid-19, but the situation is clearly improving. I don't think a single patient has tested positive in the last week,' he said. Dr Lal credited India's ongoing vaccination campaign for maintaining immunity and reducing case severity. Scientists monitor new subvariants behind latest surge The National Institute of Virology (NIV) has begun genome sequencing and isolation of four new Omicron subvariants believed to be behind the recent spike in cases. Genome sequencing helps determine the complete genetic makeup of viruses and track mutations that impact transmissibility and vaccine efficacy. Dr Naveen Kumar, director of the Pune-based NIV, said this effort would assess whether existing vaccines remain effective or require updates. 'So far, the new variants do not appear to cause severe disease,' he noted. He added that isolating the strains would aid in evaluating vaccine formulation, but any decision to update vaccines lies with policymakers following expert consultations. Experts recommend targeted boosters, not mass drives Public health experts have advised against a mass booster campaign, recommending targeted doses for high-risk groups such as the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, and those with chronic illnesses. They said India's hybrid immunity—developed from both past infections and vaccinations—provides sufficient protection for the general population. While the national outlook remains positive, officials cautioned that isolated clusters of infections are still emerging and should be monitored.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
PGIMER to launch smart navigation app to facilitate patients
Chandigarh: The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) on Tuesday said the institute will launch a smart navigation app, which will integrate real-time indoor mapping, QR code-based patient identification and crowd management features to streamline hospital navigation and reduce wait times. PGIMER Director Prof Vivek Lal while unveiling an ambitious roadmap to redefine patient experience and hospital functioning said that a smart mobile application has been developed in collaboration with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) Noida. The app, expected to be launched by the end of this 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," said Prof Lal flanked by Dean (Academics) Prof R K Ratho, Dean (Research) Prof Sanjay Jain and PGIMER Medical Superintendent Prof Vipin Koushal among others. The PGIMER Director shared significant progress on the institute's digital transformation journey, including the complete digitization of the Hospital Information System, which now handles processes such as indenting and medicine procurement under schemes like Ayushman Bharat entirely online, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency. Prof Lal elaborated on the PGIMER's robust infrastructure pipeline led by the Rs 987 crore Sarangpur Project that will house a new 100-seat Medical College, modern OPDs for 16,000 patients and a 200-bed emergency block. Additional developments include an all-weather swimming pool for the staff and students, a Trolley Way to streamline patient transfers between high-traffic blocks and a Doctors' Cafeteria soon to open on the fourth floor of A Block. Prof Lal emphasized that PGIMER is also addressing rising patient loads, especially in emergency and trauma care, by securing approval to recruit 300 ex-servicemen through outsourcing over the next four to five months to strengthen campus security. Additionally, 82 new faculty members have been recruited strictly as per the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) norms, including EWS reservation, reinforcing the institute's commitment to transparency and meritocracy. Prof Lal touched upon Project Sarathi, the PGIMER's flagship NSS student-led patient navigation initiative. Now scaled across 34 states with over 6,400 active volunteers, the Sarathi based model has been green lit for expansion to 1,467 hospitals nationwide under The PGIMER's focus on affordable healthcare also continues, with nine AMRIT stores accounting for 85 per cent of all medicine sales on campus and a new AMRIT Pharmacy facility set to open near the Emergency Block to ensure uninterrupted access to subsidized medicines under Ayushman Bharat and PMJAY, he said. Prof Lal further said the PGIMER is set to operationalize the OPD of the upcoming Advanced Neurosciences Centre within three months, with equipment procurement under review. The implementation of 12-hour OT schedules has already resulted in a 30 to 40 per cent increase in surgeries, enhancing patient throughput. Meanwhile, the construction of the Sarangpur satellite centre is progressing steadily, with completion expected in about three years.>
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
"COVID is on a decline," says PGIMER Director Dr Vivek Lal
Chandigarh: The Director of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Dr Vivek Lal, has stated that COVID-19 is under control in India, with no new cases reported in the past week. He credited the strong vaccination drive led by Prime Minister Modi for keeping the virus at bay. Speaking to on Tuesday, PGIMER Director Lal said, "We are absolutely prepared for COVID-19, but it is on a decline. I don't think a single patient has tested positive in the last week. COVID-19 is under control in India because we had a very good vaccination drive under the leadership of PM Modi. The vaccination drive is still there and is protecting us." However, despite the optimistic outlook at the national level, sporadic cases are still being reported in some regions. Rajasthan reported 29 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, taking the total number of cases this year to 456. According to the latest data, the cases were reported from various hospitals across the state, including Rajasthan Hospital, SPMC Bikaner, AIIMS Jodhpur, RTPCR Chittorgarh, SDMH Jaipur, EHCC Jaipur, SMS Jaipur, M Genix Jaipur, and RNT Jodhpur. The cases include a 20-year-old male from Banswara, an 18-year-old female from Bikaner, a 30-year-old female and a 27-year-old male from Chittorgarh, a 63-year-old female from Dausa, and a 27-year-old male from Jaipur, 14 new cases were reported, including males aged 17, 39, 53, and 40, and females aged 19, 26, 10, 75, 30, 31, 50, 29, 22, and 21. Eight cases were also reported in Jodhpur, including a 27-year-old male. Other districts reporting cases include Karauli, with a 59-year-old female, Kota, with a 27-year-old male, and Udaipur, where six cases were recorded, including males aged 48 and 45 and females aged 28, 56, 57, and 58. So far this year, Rajasthan has reported 456 COVID-19 cases, including 251 active cases, 202 recoveries, and two deaths. Jaipur continues to have the highest number of cases, with 283 reports, followed by Udaipur with 54 cases and Jodhpur with 30 cases.
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Health
- India Gazette
"COVID is on a decline," says PGIMER Director Dr Vivek Lal
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], May 18 (ANI): The Director of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Dr Vivek Lal, has stated that COVID-19 is under control in India, with no new cases reported in the past week. He credited the strong vaccination drive led by Prime Minister Modi for keeping the virus at bay. Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, PGIMER Director Lal said, 'We are absolutely prepared for COVID-19, but it is on a decline. I don't think a single patient has tested positive in the last week. COVID-19 is under control in India because we had a very good vaccination drive under the leadership of PM Modi. The vaccination drive is still there and is protecting us.' However, despite the optimistic outlook at the national level, sporadic cases are still being reported in some regions. Rajasthan reported 29 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, taking the total number of cases this year to 456. According to the latest data, the cases were reported from various hospitals across the state, including Rajasthan Hospital, SPMC Bikaner, AIIMS Jodhpur, RTPCR Chittorgarh, SDMH Jaipur, EHCC Jaipur, SMS Jaipur, M Genix Jaipur, and RNT Jodhpur. The cases include a 20-year-old male from Banswara, an 18-year-old female from Bikaner, a 30-year-old female and a 27-year-old male from Chittorgarh, a 63-year-old female from Dausa, and a 27-year-old male from Jaipur, 14 new cases were reported, including males aged 17, 39, 53, and 40, and females aged 19, 26, 10, 75, 30, 31, 50, 29, 22, and 21. Eight cases were also reported in Jodhpur, including a 27-year-old male. Other districts reporting cases include Karauli, with a 59-year-old female, Kota, with a 27-year-old male, and Udaipur, where six cases were recorded, including males aged 48 and 45 and females aged 28, 56, 57, and 58. So far this year, Rajasthan has reported 456 COVID-19 cases, including 251 active cases, 202 recoveries, and two deaths. Jaipur continues to have the highest number of cases, with 283 reports, followed by Udaipur with 54 cases and Jodhpur with 30 cases. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Work on PGI's Sarangpur MBBS college to begin by year-end
Work on the much-awaited 100-bedded MBBS medical college in Sarangpur is expected to begin by year-end, Dr Vivek Lal, director of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, shared on Tuesday. The hospital has sent the detailed project report of the ₹987-crore Sarangpur project, which will also include an Advanced Cancer Institute, a Trauma Centre and outpatient departments (OPDs) for 16,000 patients, to the Union ministry of health and family welfare, Dr Lal said while addressing a press conference at Kairon block. PGIMER had received approval for the Sarangpur project by the Institute Body, the top decision-making body of the premier medical institute, in May. Union health minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, who had chaired the meeting, had then directed PGIMER to prepare and submit a detailed project report (DPR) to the health ministry. 'I am confident that the foundation stone for the medical college will be laid by the end of this year. The government is very keen to increase the number of MBBS seats. Sarangpur college will enrol 100 students, and offer hostels and other facilities,' Dr Lal. Speaking later to HT, he revealed that once work begins, the entire multi-crore project should be ready in three to four years. The project is aimed at significantly expanding the institute's healthcare and training infrastructure in the region. So far, PGIMER has only offered postgraduate courses, such as MD and MS, while MBBS seats in Chandigarh are available only at Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32. PGIMER had first announced plans to develop health facilities in Sarangpur in 2017 to ease patient load. Initially, the proposal involved shifting trauma, cancer, and kidney transplant services to the 50-acre site. After obtaining land possession on lease from the UT administration in 2021, the proposal was revised to include a new MBBS college, Advanced Cancer Institute, Trauma Centre and OPDs. But only the boundary wall has been constructed since 2022. PGIMER has also set the ball rolling for an all-weather swimming pool for staff and students, a Trolley Way to streamline patient transfers between high-traffic blocks and a Doctors' Cafeteria on the fourth floor of Block A. MORE PROJECTS PICKING UP SPEED Advanced Neuroscience Centre: Launch by Sept Dr Vivek Lal detailed that the ₹284-crore Advanced Neurosciences Centre had been delayed due to the health ministry declining the machine procurement proposal over budget constraints. 'A fresh proposal is being worked upon and we plan to start the OPD services by September first week,' he added. In the works since October 2019, the 300-bedded centre will offer treatment for neurological and neuroscience disorders, including critical and emergency services. The top floor will house 11 operation theatres for cerebrovascular surgery, skull base surgery and spinal functional neurosurgery, among other services. Advanced Mother and Childcare Centre: Launch by Jan 2026 For the launch of the ₹182-crore Advanced Mother and Childcare Centre, the institute is awaiting approval for creation of staff positions from central government's department of expenditure. Machines have already been procured. The centre, being constructed since March 2021, features six floors with two basements, housing 300 beds for obstetrics, newborns, neonatal care, a Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), six modular operation theatres, high-risk maternity units and a human milk bank. Multi-level parking: Launch by November Hanging fire for a decade, the long-delayed multi-level parking building is expected to be ready by November. Located opposite the New OPD building, the 800-car parking has missed several deadlines despite the rising parking chaos on the campus. The project, with a budget of around ₹50 crore, had received approval from the Standing Finance Committee in 2015.
