Chandigarh, Feb 7: The Chandigarh Residents’ Associations Welfare Federation (CRAWFED) has formalised a request for preferential treatment for city residents at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER). During a meeting with Deputy Director (Administration) Pankaj Rai on Saturday, a delegation led by Chairman Hitesh Puri submitted a detailed memorandum outlining the need for specialized access for those living within the city.
The federation pointed out that the premier medical institution relies heavily on Chandigarh’s local resources, citing the use of land, water, electricity, and road infrastructure as a primary reason for this demand. To address the growing pressure on the facility, the group proposed a ten percent reservation of beds and private rooms specifically for the local population.
“We urged the PGI authorities to accord preference in treatment to the city residents, as the institute utilises significant resources of Chandigarh,” Hitesh Puri noted during the discussion.
Beyond bed availability, the memorandum suggested the creation of a dedicated queue for residents in the Outpatient Department (OPD) to ensure faster medical consultations. The federation also addressed logistical concerns regarding Sector 11, where visitors often park illegally and block residential entrances. The delegation requested the closure of the entry gate opposite Sector 11 to resolve these recurring traffic and security issues.
Pankaj Rai listened to the concerns raised by the federation members and mentioned that the administration would look into the feasibility of these requests. He assured the delegation that the points raised in the memorandum would receive prompt consideration to improve the overall healthcare delivery system.
