Rural Lifeline: PGI Sangrur Satellite Centre Transforms Healthcare Access in Punjab’s Heartland

Image Source: India News Calling

The newly inaugurated 300-bed PGIMER satellite centre in Sangrur is revolutionizing rural healthcare in Punjab, providing advanced medical services and easing the patient load on Chandigarh’s main PGI hospital. Virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ₹449-crore facility sprawls over 25 acres and stands as a beacon of hope for underserved communities in the region.

Key Highlights:

State-of-the-Art Infrastructure: The Sangrur centre boasts 300 beds, five large and two small operation theatres, ICU wards, emergency and in-patient services, and a telemedicine centre. These amenities ensure comprehensive care, from trauma to specialized surgeries, for rural populations.
Enhanced Accessibility: By offering a wide range of specialties and diagnostic services-including over 19,000 tests and 12,500 radiology scans in 2023-the centre has already served more than 3.6 lakh OPD patients and performed nearly 270 surgeries since its soft launch.
Community Outreach: The centre is committed to reaching far-flung areas through outreach activities and digital healthcare, ensuring equitable access to quality medical services for even the most remote villages.
Alleviating Urban Burden: With its robust facilities, the Sangrur centre helps decongest the main PGI in Chandigarh, allowing critical cases to be managed locally and reducing travel burdens for rural families.
Challenges Remain: Despite its promise, the centre faces challenges such as staff shortages (340 staff vs. 1,100 sanctioned) and delays in implementing the Ayushman Bharat scheme due to pending Hospital Information System integration. Efforts are underway to resolve these issues and further strengthen services.