Chandigarh: After years of delay and mounting pressure on existing facilities, the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) is set to operationalise its Rs 485 crore Advanced Mother and Child Centre (AMCC) this week, providing a major boost to maternal and neonatal care in the region.
Clearances Secured for New Facility
PGI deputy director (administration) Pankaj Rai confirmed that all mandatory clearances, including fire safety approvals from the UT administration, have been secured. "Final requirements are being incorporated, and we expect the centre to be functional within the week," he said.
Expansion After Two Decades
The five-storey facility, with a capacity of 430 beds, marks the first major expansion of PGI's maternal and neonatal infrastructure in two decades. During this period, the number of deliveries at the institute has nearly doubled, leading to persistent overcrowding. Officials said the new centre is expected to significantly ease pressure on labour rooms and gynaecology emergency services, where bed capacity had remained largely unchanged.
Specialised Units and Advanced Equipment
The AMCC will house specialised units, including critical care obstetrics, fetal medicine, robotic surgery and infertility services. Its neonatal ICU has been built to international standards, along with a human milk bank and a dedicated Kangaroo Mother Care ward. The opening also comes amid concerns over advanced medical equipment worth around Rs 150 crore, donated by Infosys in 2024, which had remained unused in the facility. With the centre becoming operational, the institute aims to put the equipment to use and expand critical neonatal care.
Impact on Regional Healthcare
Officials said the facility is expected to address the shortage of neonatal ICU beds and improve care for high-risk pregnancies across the region. The new centre will help reduce the burden on existing infrastructure and provide better outcomes for mothers and newborns.
