PGI Chandigarh celebrates 61st Foundation Day

The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh celebrated its 61^st Foundation Day at Bhargava Auditorium, PGIMER, Chandigarh today, July 8, 2024. The Chief Guest for the occasion was Lt. Gen. Daljit Singh AVSM, VSM, PHS; Director General, Armed Forces Medical Services and Senior Colonel Commandant, Army Medical Corps. Various medical and non-medical staff of PGI Chandigarh were felicitated at the event today, with mementos presented by the Chief Guest.

Addressing the institute fraternity, the Chief Guest said that due to its contributions over the years, PGI Chandigarh has carved a special niche among the medical fraternity. He said that just like Punjab has five rivers, PGI handles the inflow of patients from five states.

The Director General, Armed Forces Medical Services observed that we are able to sit peacefully in the beautiful city of Chandigarh due to our armed forces guarding our borders who are being looked after by the Armed Forces Medical Services, in case of any emergencies during times of both peace and war.

Director, PGI Chandigarh, Prof. Vivek Lal expressed his gratitude to this eminent institution and stated that he was very fortunate to have been associated with such an iconic institution and to be celebrating its Foundation Day. He said that PGI is the ‘Karmabhoomi’ of all medical professionals of the institute, who work tirelessly to serve patients coming from the five neighbouring states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

He congratulated all the medical and non-medical staff of the institute, recognizing their efforts and the silent hard work they put in even beyond duty hours. He also reiterated that it is because of the hardworking staff that PGI is able to attend to such a large number of patients in an organised manner.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the event, Director, PGI said that PGI is an asset to the nation. He said that the institute does not consider the large footfall of patients to be a burden, but that it is its duty to serve them all as they have immense faith in our system. “The institute has a footfall of 30 lakhs patients every year. The government is committed to increase the personnel strength to serve these patients.” The Director underlined the strong faith the patients have in the institute which serves as an inspiration for them to serve them even better.

The Director informed that an iconic Maternal and Child Care Centre is going to be opened soon. He also said that in two years from now, we will see a different and even better PGI and that the institute is working in full swing to make things better in the times to come.

Dean, Academic, PGIMER, Prof R. K. Ratho presented the vote of thanks.

More about the institute can be found here: https://pgimer.edu.in/