Chandigarh, July 27 — The Government Multi-Specialty Hospital (GMSH) in Sector 16 will soon roll out a free, dedicated ambulance service for senior citizens and bedridden patients, officials announced on Saturday during the fourth governing body meeting of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS).
The meeting, chaired by MP Manish Tewari, approved multiple patient-centric initiatives totaling ₹3 crore, including the hiring of six caretakers for patients in the emergency wing who lack attendants, the revival of the hospital’s drug de-addiction centre, and the introduction of anti-plagiarism software for medical students’ academic work.
Tewari said the move aims to strengthen care for the most vulnerable. “Providing accessible emergency support for our elderly and unattended patients is a moral and administrative imperative,” he stated.
Also in attendance were Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav, UT health services director Dr. Suman Singh, and senior officials from the health department and Chandigarh administration.
The newly approved measures reflect agendas raised previously during the Samiti’s third governing body meeting in February 2025. At that time, concerns had been raised about the financial viability of such services and whether the RKS would be liable to pay income tax.
Health officials clarified during Saturday’s meeting that the committee currently holds ₹37 crore in unutilized funds accumulated over the past five years and that annual expenditures of ₹2–3 crore would remain exempt from income tax until 2029. This assurance paved the way for final approval of the proposed initiatives.
In addition to ambulance services and caretaker recruitment, the governing body sanctioned the hiring of two psychiatrists to restart the drug de-addiction centre—a long-pending demand.
A proposal to implement anti-plagiarism software to vet thesis submissions and research papers by medical students also received the green light, in a move aimed at bolstering academic integrity.
MP Tewari also urged officials to leverage social media to promote wellness and preventive healthcare practices among Chandigarh residents. “It is time we embrace digital platforms to cultivate a culture of health and well-being in our city,” he said.
The hospital will also set up new help desks at the OPD, gynaecology, and emergency wards to streamline patient support and information flow.
