With 100 free kidney transplants, PGI leads in Ayushman Bharat Yojana
With over 1.25 lakh treated patients and more than 100 free kidney transplants, the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, is leading among hospitals of various union territories under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, claimed PGIMER Director Prof Vivek Lal.
He said the institute had treated over 1.25 lakh patients for free under the Ayushman Bharat so far.
“In the financial year 2023-24, the PGIMER treated more than 32,000 Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries and spent Rs 130 crore on medical services,” said Prof Lal.
Reflecting on the institute’s contributions, he said, “The hospital has over three million outpatients and 1,00,000 inpatients who receive treatment annually. Drawn by its reputation for world-class medical services, patients from remote regions across the country travel to Chandigarh for treatment at the institution. Our 160 specialised and super-specialty OPDs offer an extensive range of treatments for critical healthcare needs.”
The PGIMER Director said the institute also offered support through other government initiatives, such as the PM National Relief Fund and the National Policy for Rare Diseases. It also served over 3,688 patients under the HIMCARE initiative
“In 2023-24, Rs 21.2 crore was distributed among needy patients, while medicines worth Rs 18.59 crore were procured under the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK). It also offered Rs 3.24 crore to the underprivileged under its Poor Patient Welfare Fund,” he added.
With over 5,000 kidney transplants to its name, the PGIMER is India’s second-highest transplant centre, trailing only behind IKDRC, Ahmedabad. The institute also leads in Simultaneous Pancreas Kidney (SPK) transplants, a procedure for patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.
Prof Lal said, “The institute secured Rs 108 crore in extramural grants during 2023-24. The institute’s Department of Telemedicine is also providing over 31 lakh tele-consultations — saving patients an average travel of 444 kilometre and Rs 972 per consultation. PGIMER’s Tele Evidence facility has also provided over 9,000 court evidences in medico-legal cases.
