Dr Jagat Ram appointed as new Director, PGIMER

Chandigarh: Prestigious institute PGIMER, which was headless since October 2016 will now have Dr Jagat Ram holding its administrative reins till his term ending, October 30,2021. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (M0HFW), has appointed ophthalmologist, Dr Jagat Ram, 60, as Director, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) on Friday.

Despite initial discriminatory attitude of the authorities towards his alleged NCSC candidature, this quiet and unassuming man is finally at the helm of affairs at the PGIMER.Seventh on the shortlisted seniority panel, with a research gate score of 54.10, Dr Ram has 24 awards to his credit.

Laurels to Dr. Jagat Ram's credit

• Completed MBBS from Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, in 1978, followed by residency and Ophthalmology MS at PGIMER in June 1982


• WHO fellowship at the USA in 1993-1994 and a second one in 1998.


• Administratively, he headed the ophthalmology unit at the PGI for 26 years, working for Eye Bank Society of India for 24 years


• He is presently the chief coordinator of International Council of Ophthalmology (London) from India.


• Has performed 9,500 surgical procedures in children over 37 years.


• Recipient of 24 national and international Awards


• Awarded “Best of the Best Winner” for the discovery of a new surgical technique at San Francisco, USA, 2013.


• Recipient of the Oscar of Paediatric Ophthalmology in Barcelona in 2015.


• Over 300 research publications to his credit in publications like the New England Journal of Medicine and Lancet.

Speaking to HT on issues of priority Dr. Ram said, patient rush in the OPDs and emergency at the institute were a major concern. Being new to this responsibility Dr. Ram intended to have everyone at the PGIMER work as a team; be they faculty, residents, nurses or technicians.

Dr. Ram intends to handle patient rush through online appointments, which at present stands at a mere 10%. He also spoke of increased use of digital technology, and reduction in the number of referral patients. This he felt could be done by training staff of neighbouring state hospitals, resulting in a decrease in patient overcrowding, at the institute.

Highlighting his goals and expectations, Dr Jagat Ram said that he intended to take the PGIMER to the next level and ensure that the healthcare hub matched top global medical institutes, in patient care, research and training.

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