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Robert Abraham

Robert Abraham is a staff correspondent with the Hindustan Times in Chandigarh. He keeps readers updated on the latest developments in the world of health.

Articles by Robert Abraham

30% dip in foodgrain freight amid farm stir, says minister Ravneet Bittu

Each rake carries around 2,500 tonnes of foodgrain and the movement of already stored grains is essential to create space for fresh procurement

Chandigarh

Updated on Oct 02, 2024 09:28 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Congress flags financial irregularities at PGIMER

Congress working committee member Pawan Khera, in the backdrop of the request, flagged the alleged irregularities at Chandigarh’s PGIMER in a post on ‘X’

The Congress on Friday alleged lapses and irregularities in the handling of PGIMER finances in a development that coincided with the institute’s financial adviser Varun Ahluwalia requesting for a return to his parent cadre. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on Sep 28, 2024 09:15 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: MBBS students demand increase in seats at GMCH-32

Currently, the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, Chandigarh, offers 150 MBBS seats, 100 BDS seats, and 50 BHMS seats

Chandigarh

Updated on Sep 16, 2024 09:12 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Workforce expansion, campus security to come up at next PGIMER finance panel meeting

In the wake of the gruesome Kolkata rape-murderof a 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata on August 9, the premier health institute is mulling steps to improve security on its campus

Demanding justice for the victim and safety of doctors at workplace, PGIMER’s resident doctors had remained on strike for 11 days since August 12. (HT File Photo for representation)

Chandigarh

Updated on Sep 08, 2024 07:46 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Chandigarh colleges elect representatives amid high voter turnout, celebrations erupt

The election results were announced in the evening after voting, which took place in the day; like previous year, the colleges saw diverse alliances and party affiliations, which played a crucial role in shaping the election results

Chandigarh

Updated on Sep 06, 2024 09:16 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Youth verdict: 109 candidates, 40k judges for Chandigarh’s Panjab University polls

While Chandigarh has 11 colleges, only 10 will be going to polls, as student council of Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sector-26, like previous year, has been elected unopposed

Chandigarh

Updated on Sep 05, 2024 06:42 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Campaigning ends at PU-affiliated colleges

Student council elections at all 11 affiliated colleges of the Panjab University (PU) in Chandigarh will take place on September 5

Chandigarh

Updated on Sep 04, 2024 09:26 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Student polls remain low-key affair in women colleges

Students at all five major women colleges claim that there is even very less involvement of political parties in the polls as it remains in co-ed colleges

Panjab University Campus Students’ Council elections are slated for September 5, along with its affiliated colleges. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Sep 03, 2024 06:48 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Student council polls: SOPU makes comeback at DAV College after 10 years

The student wing is contesting for the DAV college student council elections this year for the single seat of joint secretary

SOPU came into being at Panjab University (PU) in 1997, going on to win the election in its maiden fight the same year. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Sep 01, 2024 07:00 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Patients pained by absence of digital payment options at GMCH-32

Patients forced to bring cash at various counters, slowing down payment process; complain of being short-changed regularly

Patients at GMCH-32 endure inconvenience due to cash-only payments, often delaying the treatment process. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 30, 2024 08:58 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Striking resident doctors will be considered on duty: PGI director

In major relief for resident doctors who remained on strike for 11 days over Kolkata rape horror, PGIMER director has directed heads of all depts that no leaves should be deducted

The PGIMER director’s orders came following Supreme Court’s second hearing on the Kolkata rape-murder case on August 22. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 25, 2024 07:42 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: PGI to install panic buttons for safety of female staff

Chandigarh’s PGIMER director Dr Vivek Lal has given the green signal to make any required change without worrying about the budget

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 18, 2024 07:52 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: PGI services remain crippled for fifth day

Faculty association of PGIMER, Chandigarh, urges the public to join their fight for justice; assures no interruption in emergency and ICU services

Condemning the heinous rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9, the faculty association of PGIMER, Chandigarh, urged public to join their fight for justice. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 17, 2024 09:40 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Docs to stage silent protest on I-Day over Kolkata medic’s rape-murder

More than 1,200 resident doctors staged a protest on the PGIMER campus, carrying placards and chanting slogans demanding justice, and the death penalty for the accused

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 15, 2024 07:28 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Patients suffer as doctors’ strike continues at PGIMER

The premier health institute, which has a daily footfall of around 10,000, managed to attend to around 5,000 follow-up patients in various OPD departments from 8 am to 9.30 am, but no new patients were registered for OPD services

76-year-old cancer patient Lajwanti Vasudeva, who arrived at PGIMER from Panchkula with her daughter for a scheduled knee surgery, seeking clarity from a protesting doctor. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 14, 2024 09:28 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Prioritise empathy, ethics, CJI exhorts young doctors at PGIMER

Justice Chandrachud was the chief guest at the PGIMER convocation, while Dr GD Puri, executive director of AIIMS Jodhpur, was the guest of honour at the convocation that took place in Bhargava Auditorium

(From left) PGIMER director Dr Vivek Lal, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Dr GD Puri, executive director of AIIMS Jodhpur, during the annual convocation of PGIMER. (Ravi Kumar/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 11, 2024 08:20 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Audit reveals staff crunch at Chandigarh’s Mental Health Institute

As per an audit report, Chandigarh’s Mental Health Institute has a shortage of 54 officers/employees in different cadres as of March 2023, which has affected its smooth functioning

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 07, 2024 10:00 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Parents of applicants at home for mentally ill want security deposit cut

On August 1, in an executive body meeting of the group home, the department decided to cut this amount to ₹10 lakh for a sharing room, ₹15 lakh for a single room and ₹20 lakh for a suite at its Group Home, the upfront charges for five years

Parents have compared security deposits at various group homes nationwide and found that none charges more than <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>6 lakh. (iStock)

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 05, 2024 03:19 PM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

PGIMER experts caution e-cigarettes far from safe

Despite being marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes contain numerous harmful substances such as formaldehyde, heavy metals, and carcinogens

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 05, 2024 09:12 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Mobile app to make GMCH-32 navigable

The app will provide a detailed map of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, Chandigarh, allowing patients to easily locate various testing labs, operating theatres (OTs), and wards

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 29, 2024 09:12 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

As city waited eagerly, June-July slipped away with 55% rain deficit

For 19 years, the record of heaviest rain was held by August 2004, when Chandigarh had received 718 mm showers. Now pushed to the second spot, it’s followed by 675.5 mm rain in August 1971, 52 years ago

The IMD officials on Saturday issued another yellow alert warning for heavy rain, thunderstorm and lightning at isolated places on July 30 & 31. (Ravi Kumar/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 28, 2024 08:44 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Mother & child care centre coming up at GMCH-32

Notably, the initially proposed budget of ₹35 crore for the construction of the centre at Chandigarh’s GMCH-32 has been nearly doubled, now amounting to ₹73 crore

An exclusive 260-bed Mother and Child Care Centre will decrease infant mortality rate and mother mortality rate, said Dr AK Attri, Director Principal, Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, Chandigarh. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 22, 2024 07:32 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Health minister appoints Dr Radha Kanta Ratho as PGI dean academics

Dr Radha Kanta Ratho, virology department head and sub-dean (research), has been appointed as the dean academics of Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 21, 2024 07:54 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

After missing several deadlines, GMCH trauma centre to be ready by year-end

Green-lit in 2019, the 259-bedded emergency and trauma centre at GMCH-32 has run into one hurdle after the other. As per the GMCH-32 administration, the construction of the building is nearing completion.

The much-delayed emergency-cum-trauma centre at Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, is slated for completion by the end of this year. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 17, 2024 08:32 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

PGIMER plans urgent fire safety overhaul

Over the past nine months, PGIMER has witnessed six fire incidents, including a major one in October 2023, necessitating the evacuation of 424 patients. In a recent letter, the establishment branch stressed that once consultants prepare the necessary tenders, they should be issued promptly to ensure timely completion of work identified in audit reports.

The establishment branch at the PGIMER has proposed using a ‘restricted tender’ process to quickly hire consultants for addressing urgent fire safety issues. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 17, 2024 08:20 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Coming up, advanced neurosciences centre at PGIMER

The Advanced Neurosciences Centre will be a multi-storey building with three basements, a ground floor, and six additional floors, covering 47,619 square metres with a parking facility for 232 cars

The ANC will feature latest laboratories and services, including critical and emergency services. (HT file photo for representation)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 14, 2024 07:44 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Blocked platform at Chandigarh railway station leaves passengers harried

Until August 9, access to platforms through the Chandigarh side will remain unavailable; thus, passengers have been advised to enter the station from the Panchkula side

The physical progress of the redevelopment project is around 67%. The major remaining task is the air concourse, which needed preparedness and various permissions. Now, the work of air concourse will be done by blocking the platforms one after the other. (Sant Arora/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 13, 2024 08:48 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Death of 74-year-old Mohali woman: Inquiry finds private hospital in Chandigarh guilty of negligence

The complaint submitted to the Chandigarh adviser, administrator, health secretary, and director of health mentioned that the private hospital had sent a critically ill patient home with medicines instead of providing proper care

The family claimed that on April 7, the government hospital requested an MRI but required a written letter from the private hospital in Sector 33, Chandigarh, confirming if the patient could safely undergo the procedure. The private hospital refused to provide the letter. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 11, 2024 09:02 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

PGI Chandigarh appoints Prof RK Ratho as interim dean academics

This arrangement is temporary and will remain in effect until the next hearing on July 22, 2024, as per the orders of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Chandigarh

Professor Radha Kanta Ratho is the head of the department of virology and sub-dean (research) at PGIMER. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 04, 2024 09:52 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

Resident doctors ‘harassed’ by professor: PGIMER forms probe panel

Senior residents of PGIMER’s department of urology have alleged harassment by Dr Santosh Kumar, a professor in the department

PGIMER authorities have constituted a high-level committee and statements of all the stakeholders have been recorded in the matter. (HT Photos)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 03, 2024 08:48 AM IST

ByRobert Abraham, Chandigarh

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Robert Abraham

Robert Abraham is a staff correspondent with the Hindustan Times in Chandigarh. He keeps readers updated on the latest developments in the world of health.

Each rake carries around 2,500 tonnes of foodgrain and the movement of already stored grains is essential to create space for fresh procurement

Congress working committee member Pawan Khera, in the backdrop of the request, flagged the alleged irregularities at Chandigarh’s PGIMER in a post on ‘X’

Currently, the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, Chandigarh, offers 150 MBBS seats, 100 BDS seats, and 50 BHMS seats

In the wake of the gruesome Kolkata rape-murderof a 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata on August 9, the premier health institute is mulling steps to improve security on its campus

The election results were announced in the evening after voting, which took place in the day; like previous year, the colleges saw diverse alliances and party affiliations, which played a crucial role in shaping the election results

While Chandigarh has 11 colleges, only 10 will be going to polls, as student council of Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sector-26, like previous year, has been elected unopposed

Student council elections at all 11 affiliated colleges of the Panjab University (PU) in Chandigarh will take place on September 5

Students at all five major women colleges claim that there is even very less involvement of political parties in the polls as it remains in co-ed colleges

The student wing is contesting for the DAV college student council elections this year for the single seat of joint secretary

Patients forced to bring cash at various counters, slowing down payment process; complain of being short-changed regularly

In major relief for resident doctors who remained on strike for 11 days over Kolkata rape horror, PGIMER director has directed heads of all depts that no leaves should be deducted

Chandigarh’s PGIMER director Dr Vivek Lal has given the green signal to make any required change without worrying about the budget

Faculty association of PGIMER, Chandigarh, urges the public to join their fight for justice; assures no interruption in emergency and ICU services

More than 1,200 resident doctors staged a protest on the PGIMER campus, carrying placards and chanting slogans demanding justice, and the death penalty for the accused

The premier health institute, which has a daily footfall of around 10,000, managed to attend to around 5,000 follow-up patients in various OPD departments from 8 am to 9.30 am, but no new patients were registered for OPD services

Justice Chandrachud was the chief guest at the PGIMER convocation, while Dr GD Puri, executive director of AIIMS Jodhpur, was the guest of honour at the convocation that took place in Bhargava Auditorium

As per an audit report, Chandigarh’s Mental Health Institute has a shortage of 54 officers/employees in different cadres as of March 2023, which has affected its smooth functioning

On August 1, in an executive body meeting of the group home, the department decided to cut this amount to ₹10 lakh for a sharing room, ₹15 lakh for a single room and ₹20 lakh for a suite at its Group Home, the upfront charges for five years

Despite being marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes contain numerous harmful substances such as formaldehyde, heavy metals, and carcinogens

The app will provide a detailed map of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, Chandigarh, allowing patients to easily locate various testing labs, operating theatres (OTs), and wards

For 19 years, the record of heaviest rain was held by August 2004, when Chandigarh had received 718 mm showers. Now pushed to the second spot, it’s followed by 675.5 mm rain in August 1971, 52 years ago

Notably, the initially proposed budget of ₹35 crore for the construction of the centre at Chandigarh’s GMCH-32 has been nearly doubled, now amounting to ₹73 crore

Dr Radha Kanta Ratho, virology department head and sub-dean (research), has been appointed as the dean academics of Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh

Green-lit in 2019, the 259-bedded emergency and trauma centre at GMCH-32 has run into one hurdle after the other. As per the GMCH-32 administration, the construction of the building is nearing completion.

The Advanced Neurosciences Centre will be a multi-storey building with three basements, a ground floor, and six additional floors, covering 47,619 square metres with a parking facility for 232 cars

Until August 9, access to platforms through the Chandigarh side will remain unavailable; thus, passengers have been advised to enter the station from the Panchkula side

The complaint submitted to the Chandigarh adviser, administrator, health secretary, and director of health mentioned that the private hospital had sent a critically ill patient home with medicines instead of providing proper care

This arrangement is temporary and will remain in effect until the next hearing on July 22, 2024, as per the orders of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Chandigarh

Senior residents of PGIMER’s department of urology have alleged harassment by Dr Santosh Kumar, a professor in the department

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