Chandigarh, May 6
The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, on Tuesday celebrated the second annual ‘Sarathi Day’, marking two successful years of its flagship volunteer initiative, SARATHI (Students’ Alliance for Responsible Action to Transform Healthcare Institutes), aimed at improving patient care and accessibility.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Secretary Rajesh Prasad praised SARATHI as a unique initiative combining service with experiential learning. He said the programme is built on empathy, compassion, social responsibility, and experiential learning, adding that volunteers not only assist patients but also undergo a “lifelong transformation of the heart.”
PGIMER Director Vivek Lal highlighted that SARATHI reflects the institute’s core values of compassion and patient-centric care. Referring to volunteers as “Bravehearts,” he said they are not just helping patients but also learning empathy, resilience, and a commitment to service. He noted that in large hospitals, navigating systems can be overwhelming, and SARATHI volunteers play a crucial role in guiding patients with dignity and care. He further observed that the initiative, which began as a pilot at PGIMER, has the potential to grow into a major social service movement across the country.
Highlighting the operational impact, Deputy Director Pankaj Rai said SARATHI was launched on May 6, 2024, to close the gap between the availability of healthcare services and their actual accessibility to people. The initiative integrates student volunteers into hospital systems to assist patients with non-clinical processes such as registration, navigating diagnostic services, and supporting elderly and vulnerable individuals.
He added that more than 2,000 student volunteers have contributed over 1.24 lakh service hours, benefiting lakhs of patients and attendants. The initiative has also received recognition from the Health and Family Welfare Ministry and the Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry as a replicable model.
The programme included a presentation on SARATHI’s journey, a film showcasing its impact, and the felicitation of 25 partner educational institutions, along with principals, nodal officers, and volunteers for their contributions.
Dean (Research) Sanjay Jain described SARATHI as “compassion in action” and a testament to the power of youth-led change in healthcare.
The event concluded with PGIMER renewing its commitment to expand the initiative, aiming to strengthen patient support systems across healthcare institutions nationwide.
