The North News
Chandigarh, September 18
PGIMER Director Prof. Vivek Lal has underlined the institute’s commitment to women’s health, describing international recognition of its work as “gratifying” and vital to building healthier societies on Wednesday. Speaking at a mega health camp under the Government of India’s Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan at PGIMER in Chandigarh, Prof. Vivek Lal said such initiatives “enrich both sides and strengthen our collective vision” for preventive and accessible healthcare.
The camp drew large community participation and delivered extensive screening services: 259 antenatal check-ups, 2,459 haemoglobin tests, 690 breast cancer screenings, 901 diabetes tests, 1,079 hypertension checks, 77 cervical cancer screenings, 238 oral cancer screenings and 378 sickle cell disease tests. PGIMER also performed 94 major surgeries and facilitated 450 blood donations. Ayushman Bharat cards and ABHA IDs were generated on-site. Adding a global dimension, final-year medical students from Lund University, Sweden, currently on an elective programme at PGIMER’s Advanced Paediatric Centre, joined the event. The group praised the camp’s outreach and organisation.
Visiting student Tilda Gunnarsson called the initiative “truly inspiring,” highlighting PGIMER’s “compassion with efficiency.” Her colleague Pavel Larsson said the integrated approach of awareness, screening and treatment was “both accessible and deeply humane.”
Fellow students Maria Kökeritz and Mai Stensson described the experience as “eye-opening,” stressing the value of preventive care and early detection. The Swedish delegation, led by faculty from Skåne University Hospital and hosted by Professors Arun Bansal and Sanjay Verma, is at PGIMER from 15–19 September for training in paediatrics in low- and middle-income settings. Their programme includes ward rounds, specialty clinics, academic sessions and emergency care exposure. The PGIMER in an official statement said that the collaboration underscored its dual role as both a hub for community health outreach and a centre for international medical exchange.
