WORLD POPULATION DAY Mohit Khanna Chandigarh, July 11 Population growth in Zirakpur a concern The number of patients at the PGI, Chandigarh, is likely to touch the 32-lakh mark per year by 2022. This was disclosed by an internal study conducted by the PGI authorities. Sharing details, Dr N Khandelwal, Professor and the head, Department of Radiodiagnosis, said, “We analysed the record of patients since 2005, noticing a manifold rise in their number. The number will touch 32 lakh by 2022.” As per the data, as many as 26,84,508 patients visited the PGI in 2017- 2018 while 25, 15,455 patients were treated in 2016 – 2017. Dr N Khandelwal said, “A majority of patients were from the neighbouring states. It is high time that these states strengthened their medical infrastructure.” Interestingly, nearly 6 lakh Chandigarh residents visited the premier health insititute for treatment last year. Sources said the decision to hire over 800 doctors was taken keeping in mind the increasing rush of patients.The issue was discussed with Union Secretary of Health CK Mishra last year. A proposal was given to establish an OPD, a trauma centre and cancer institute at Sarangpur. Around Rs 2,800 crore will be spent on the projects. The seven-storey OPD is expected to cater to 35 lakh patients annually. The trauma care will have 500 beds and 20 operation theatres. Similarly, the cancer institute will be equipped to perform 350 radiotherapies in a day and 4,500 cancer surgeries in a year.Rising population in Zirakpur, which has gone up to 2 lakh, is a real challenge. “While legal and illegal colonies are mushrooming in Zirakpur, the town is lacking medical infrastructure. People suffering from small ailments are rushing to the PGI for treatment,” said a doctor at the PGI.

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