New Delhi: New surgical block at AIIMS to become operational by March end

New Delhi: The AIIMS surgical block is almost ready and will be operational by March end. The 200 bedded block will bring relief to the 27 lac patients awaiting surgery every year and also improve medical facility available to them. The new surgical block will bring to an end the incessant delays in treatment for patients, as not both organ transplants and surgeries will be done without delay.

Usually a surgical appointment takes a year coming. Confirming the long wait a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy at AIIMS said, “I was detected with breast cancer a year ago, but my treatment started so late because there was a long queue of breast cancer patients. My condition worsened as I had to wait for at least a year. This, despite the fact that my husband works in AIIMS.”

Elaborating about the new surgical block ,AIIMS spokesperson Dr. Amit Gupta said, “There would be 12 operation theaters (OT) in this block. Presently, there are 65 beds available in general surgery at AIIMS hospital and only four operation theaters. After this new surgical block, 12 more operation theaters will be added. This surgical block will consist of vascular surgery and thoracic surgery facilities as well. There would be a separate unit for kidney transplant.”

Meanwhile, The Indian Medical Association ( IMA ) has launched a program called ‘Poochna Mat Bhoolo' to promote an organ donation campaign.

Dr. K.K. Aggrawal, National President, IMA, speaking on the issue of eye donation, said, “There is a huge gap in the country for organ donation and transplant. The reason behind is the unawareness among st the people. As every year, two lac people need cornea transplant, but very few donors are available. If the hospital doctors create, the situation may change and the organ donation may increase.”