Media Coverage | 29-07-2024
Union health secy Apurva Chandra positive, State govt must take immediate steps
If the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in MIHAN, a boon for critical patients in central India including Vidarbha, gets another 50 acres of land, super speciality treatment will be possible here. For this purpose, there is a need for the State government to take the initiative, said Union health secretary Apurva Chandra.
The chairman of editorial board of Lokmat Media Group and former member of Rajya Sabha Dr Vijay Darda met Chandra in New Delhi in this regard and the latter assured all possible help for the upgradation of AIIMS.
Spread over 150 acres of land, AIIMS Nagpur started functioning in 2019 and at present, it serves patients through 18 different departments and 12 super specialty departments. The number of patients in the OPDs have increased from 200-300 to over 3,000 at present. The number of patients is increasing by the day due to the availability of the latest treatment facilities and the success of complicated surgeries.
However, the institute is facing a dearth of manpower compared to the increasing number of patients. Moreover, another 50 acres of land is required to start super specialty courses. The then director of AIIMS Dr Vibha Dutta had sent a proposal in this regard but it is still pending with the State government.
Speaking in this regard, Chandra said additional land is the main hurdle. The Central government approves the new department and the teachers are appointed by the State government. Once the State allocates the land, new departments will start functioning. Chandra further said expensive medicines to cure cancer and heart ailments are available at a moderate price at the ‘Jan Aushadhi Kendra’ at AIIMS and a large number of patients are availing the benefit.
Gadkari, Fadnavis should take initiative
AIIMS Nagpur is the largest speciality hospital in Central India. Union minister Nitin Gadkari and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis should take the initiative to fulfil its requirement for additional land. It is also necessary to address the issue of vacancies for specialist doctors and nurses in AIIMS, said Dr Vijay Darda after the meeting with Union health secretary Apurva Chandra.
Plan of trauma care centre, updated library ready
The 10-year planning of the proposed 50 acres of land is ready and it is proposed to build super specialty blocks. It will have a trauma care centre along with an emergency department so that seriously injured patients can get immediate treatment. An up-to-date e-library will also be developed for students.
AIIMS should fill vacancies
AIIMS Nagpur has full authority to fill the vacant posts. AIIMS director Dr P P Joshi said some advertisements regarding the vacancies have been issued. But the post of medical oncologist is still vacant.
50% posts of nurses vacant
AIIMS Nagpur has a sanctioned strength of 1,000 nurses against 820 beds. However, only 520 posts have been filled. Thus, almost 50 per cent posts are vacant. Dr Joshi said efforts are being made to fill the vacant posts.
A letter has been written to the additional chief secretary of Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) Sanjay Sethi and health and family welfare joint secretary Ankita Mishra Bundela two months back seeking additional 50 acres of land for AIIMS Nagpur. I had also met Union health secretary Apurva Chandra, who has forwarded the proposal to Maharashtra chief secretary Sujata Saunik. Union minister Nitin Gadkari has also asked us to send a proposal for the proposed site.”
—Dr P P Joshi, AIIMS director
Chairman of editorial board of Lokmat Media Group and former member of Rajya Sabha Dr Vijay Darda during the meeting with Union health secretary Apurva Chandra over upgradation of AIIMS Nagpur in New Delhi.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences at Mihan in Nagpur (File photo)