The North News
Chandigarh, September 25
PGIMER Director Prof Vivek Lal has described sanitation and support staff as the “true Karmayogis of PGI”, placing their everyday work at the heart of the country’s national cleanliness mission. At the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh, Prof Vivek Lal bowed his head in tribute to the cleaners, security personnel and ground-level workers who, he said, “work with their hearts” to keep the hospital environment safe and dignified. “Their commitment is our true victory,” he told faculty, students and staff gathered for a special drive under the Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 campaign.
Visitors from India and abroad, the Director added, had remarked on PGIMER’s high standards of hygiene, noting that its wards, washrooms and public areas rivalled benchmarks in some of the world’s best hospitals. But he warned against seeing cleanliness as a one-off campaign. “Understand your Karma as your Dharma, and your Dharma as your Karma. Only then can we truly deliver,” he said
The event, part of the fortnight-long Swachhotsav programme, was led by the Department of Hospital Administration. It drew senior faculty, including Dean (Academics) Prof R K Ratho, Dean (Research) Prof Sanjay Jain, Medical Superintendent Prof Vipin Koushal and Additional MS Prof Ashok Kumar.
Koushal said the link between cleanliness and patient outcomes was often underestimated. “Cleanliness is not just about aesthetics—it directly impacts patient safety, infection control and the healing environment of a hospital,” he said. “PGIMER takes pride in leading by example, where every member contributes to this culture of hygiene and service,” he added.
The campaign, running from September 17 to October 2, has placed a particular emphasis on zero-waste practices, green festivities and recognition of sanitation workers. For PGIMER, officials said, it was also a chance to restate its role not only as a centre of medical excellence but as a model of civic responsibility and community engagement.
