The Advanced Paediatric Centre at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) -16, Chandigarh, was inaugurated today by the Hon'ble Governor of Punjab and Administrator of U.T, Chandigarh, Sh. Banwarilal Purohit. The inauguration took place in the esteemed presence of Dr. Vijay Namdeorao Zade, IAS Adviser to the Administrator, and Sh. Ajay Chagti, IAS, Secretary Health.
The ceremony witnessed the participation of key dignitaries including Dr. Suman Singh, Director Health & Family Welfare-cum-Mission Director (NHM), Sh. Kapil Setia, Chief Architect, Sh. C.B. Ojha, Chief Engineer, and Dr. V.K. Nagpal, Medical Superintendent, GMSH-16, alongside other senior officials and healthcare professionals from the Health Department, U.T, Chandigarh.
Established as a 32-bedded Paediatric Care Unit, the Advanced Paediatric Centre received approval from the Government of India under the Emergency COVID-19 Response and Health System Preparedness package – Phase II (ECRP- Phase II). A budget of Rs. 225 lakhs was allocated by the Government of India for infrastructure preparedness and the establishment of the Paediatric Centre of Excellence. The Advanced Paediatric Centre (APC) aims to deliver high-quality, state-of-the-art specialized care to paediatric patients.
It features a 12-bedded hybrid ICU unit comprising 4 ventilator beds and 8 High Dependency Unit (HDU) beds. Additionally, the centre includes 20 oxygen-supported beds and offers services such as EEG, Echocardiography, and Ultrasonography. Round-the-clock services like X-Ray, ECG, sample collection, pharmacy, blood transfusion, nebulisation, etc., are available to manage sick and critical patients. Notably, tele-consultation services are provided in collaboration with PGIMER, Chandigarh, serving as a Centre of Excellence.