Dr Suman Singh, the Director of Health Services in Chandigarh, has been granted a one-year extension to continue leading the city's healthcare initiatives. This decision comes as recognition of her significant contributions to modernizing Chandigarh's government healthcare facilities since she assumed the position in October 2021 during the challenging third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Continuing the Healthcare Transformation Journey
Dr Singh described the extension as an appreciation of the work accomplished under her leadership. "The priority is to keep upgrading the hospital for better patient care and improving services for both quality and convenience of patients," she stated, emphasizing that comprehensive roadmaps and action plans are already in place to make meaningful differences in patients' lives.
Her tenure has been marked by a determined effort to modernize Government Multispeciality Hospital in Sector 16, Civil Hospitals, and various dispensaries across Chandigarh. The extension will allow her to continue these transformative initiatives that began during one of the most challenging periods for healthcare systems worldwide.
Significant Achievements in Pediatric Care
Among the notable accomplishments under Dr Singh's leadership is the inauguration of the long-awaited 32-bedded Advanced Paediatrics Centre (APC) at GMSH-16 in 2024. This state-of-the-art facility represents a major leap forward in specialized pediatric care for the region.
The new center features a hybrid ICU unit equipped with ventilator beds, oxygen-supported beds, and a high-dependency unit. Advanced diagnostic capabilities including EEG, ultrasonography, and echocardiography are now available on-site, eliminating the need for pediatric patients to seek specialized services elsewhere.
"Now paediatric patients do not have to go outside to get specialised services," Dr Singh emphasized, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the new facility. The renovation of antenatal and postnatal wards with complete air-conditioning has further enhanced comfort for mothers and children receiving care at the hospital.
Ongoing Infrastructure Upgrades and Digital Transformation
The hospital infrastructure continues to see substantial improvements, including a newly constructed waiting area for patients developed through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) assistance. This facility provides comfortable seating arrangements for patients and their attendants in all weather conditions.
Several renovation projects are currently underway across the hospital complex, including private rooms, gynaecology wards, and the emergency area. Dr Singh identified the emergency extension as a priority project that needs accelerated completion.
The digital transformation of GMSH-16 represents another significant milestone, with signal testing already initiated. This initiative will revolutionize patient experience by enabling digital delivery of all reports, including radiology films, directly to patients' phones or email addresses. The complete digitization of health records will substantially reduce the need for physical visits to collect reports and X-rays.
Expanding Community Healthcare Access
Under Dr Singh's leadership, the focus extends beyond the main hospital to community healthcare facilities. All dispensaries across Chandigarh have been upgraded to paperless operations, streamlining services and improving efficiency.
The healthcare network continues to expand with plans to establish a new lab in Sector 39, following the recent opening of a facility in Sector 25. This expansion strategy aims to bring healthcare services closer to residents' homes while reducing the burden on central facilities.
Addressing one of her key objectives, Dr Singh emphasized that "the gap between private and government hospitals should be reduced." To achieve this, efforts are underway to recruit additional doctors and healthcare professionals across all facilities, ensuring that government hospitals can match the service quality of their private counterparts.
The upcoming projects include refurbishing the six-bed CCU to provide enhanced privacy and convenience for patients and attendants, along with initiating work on the critical care block in Mani Majra. This development will significantly improve emergency service accessibility for residents in outlying areas, reducing travel time during critical situations.
Dr Singh's extension ensures continuity in Chandigarh's healthcare modernization journey, building upon the substantial progress made over recent years while addressing the evolving healthcare needs of the community.
