As part of the ongoing Sehatmand Punjab Mission launched by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Dr. BR Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) in Mohali is poised to receive a 6-bedded Medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU), aiming to provide optimal treatment for critical patients at nominal charges, announced Punjab’s Health and Family Welfare Minister on Friday.
Accompanied by Dr. Bhavneet Bharti, the Director Principal of AIMS Mohali, the Health Minister conducted a comprehensive review of the ICU’s preparedness, anticipating its formal inauguration by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
Dr. Balbir Singh emphasised that the ICU facility will render services to patients in need of ventilatory support at nominal charges. “The ICU is operational and ready to admit critical patients,” he affirmed, highlighting the availability of life-saving equipment such as crash carts, patient monitors, defibrillators, infusion pumps, and ventilators.
Referring to it as a significant milestone in advancing healthcare excellence, the Health Minister asserted that this initiative would fortify the medical infrastructure of the state.
Subsequently, Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh visited the newly constructed state-of-the-art Biosafety Level 2 Lab at AIMS Mohali. The lab is well-equipped with all the necessary facilities for RTPCR, catering to COVID-19 detection.
It boasts advanced infrastructure and the latest equipment, including Biosafety cabinets, RNA extractors, refrigerated centrifuges, vortex mixers, mini-spinners, thermo-shakers, pipettes, autoclaves, PCR workstations, -40 degree and -80 degree Celsius deep freezers, RTPCR machines, computer units with printers, and all required consumables. The installation of this advanced machinery is underway, and the lab is expected to be functional soon.
Dr. Balbir Singh explained that the lab’s purpose is to serve the community by aiding in the timely identification of viruses of public health significance at the molecular level.
This includes influenza virus and other viruses causing respiratory tract infections, vector-borne viruses like dengue, chikungunya, Zika, as well as viruses causing gastrointestinal infections, including hepatitis virus. The lab also addresses sexually transmitted infections like Human papillomavirus and viruses causing central nervous system infections.
