The teleconsultation helplines of many premier health institutions like Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh and PGI, Rohtak remain engaged for most of the time which has emerged as a huge problem for the patients of several states including Haryana.
PGI’s helpline 0172-2755591, which was supposed to provide timely consultation and treatment to needy patients operational from 8 am to 9.30 pm, remains engaged for most of the time which has surfaced as a cause of concern. Thus, connecting to the above-mentioned number for teleconsultation is not less than a tough task.
It is pertinent to mention that generally, 10,000 patients visit the institute a day and among these 20% hail from Haryana. Thus, not connecting to the helpline has led to a surge in the problems of the people of the state. Presently, 4000 patients visit the PGI per day via connecting to the helpline as well as the PGI’s website. Out of these patients, nearly one-third of the total patients visiting PGI get registered for treatment physically with the help of the above helpline while the rest get treatment via teleconsultation.
It is worth mentioning that initially six different lines were provided on the above helpline (landline number) but in wake of the increasing patient load, the administration decided to extended these lines from 6 to 20 but it also proved insufficient. Regarding the same, Dr Sandeep Pandey who holds the portfolio of the head of the Central Registration Department (CRD) PGI said that the institute continues to put its best to provide timely health facilities to the patients at home as well as by physical OPD. The Daily Guardian also checked the status of the helpline on different days by making calls and what came to the surface was that lines continue to remain engaged up to an hour or more than this sometimes.