Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), revered as one of India's oldest and most sought-after medical institutions, is a coveted choice for aspiring medical professionals.

Despite its historical significance, the college has not received the recognition it truly deserves.

Situated in the heart of the national capital, LHMC is affiliated with prestigious hospitals such as Sucheta Kriplani and Kalawati Charan Children Hospital.

While LHMC should be renowned for its healthcare services, it has, unfortunately, gained notoriety for its dilapidated infrastructure, marked by broken walls, shortages of drinking water, and waterlogging.

However, positive transformations have been witnessed in recent years, particularly under the dynamic leadership of the new director, Prof Subhash Giri.

Addressing the longstanding issues, Prof Giri has undertaken comprehensive measures to enhance the overall functioning of the institution. Common services, including water supply in the new building, the expansion of diagnostic services, augmentation of manpower, and improvements to existing facilities, are at the forefront of the director's agenda.

In an illuminating conversation with Drug Today Medical Times Correspondent Rohit Shishodia, Prof Giri elaborated on his visionary plans to elevate LHMC to the pinnacle of healthcare excellence, rivaling renowned counterparts like RML and Safdarjung hospitals.

The director's strategic initiatives encompass the improvement of essential services, the fortification of existing departments, and the implementation of cutting-edge healthcare practices.

As Prof Giri passionately articulates his vision for LHMC, it becomes evident that under his leadership, the institution is poised to reclaim its rightful status as a premier healthcare facility.

Here are the excerpts…………….

Drug Today Medical Times (DTMT): Your commendable efforts in improving facilities at GTB Hospital have received widespread praise. Now, you are faced with the challenge of enhancing the infrastructure at LHMC. Could you share your perspective on this transition?

Prof Giri: I appreciate Drug Today Medical Times for acknowledging my previous work at GTB Hospital.

Upon my arrival at LHMC, I observed that the institution was positioned below other central government-run hospitals like Ram Manohar Lohia and Safdarjung Hospitals.

Before officially joining LHMC, My primary goal was to optimize the functionality of the institute's new building, a significant investment valued at Rs 700 crore.

The inauguration of this building by Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya marked a momentous occasion, and the majority of logistics required for its operation were made available. However, various factors resulted in the underutilization of these resources.

In 2008, the Medical Council of India (now the National Medical Commission) conducted an inspection of the college to assess its readiness for offering the MBBS course.

Unfortunately, major deficiencies were identified during this inspection, and regrettably, these issues were not addressed over the years.

The MBBS training necessitates adherence to specific guidelines, encompassing logistical support, manpower, and a sufficient number of patients. Unfortunately, these critical aspects were overlooked since 2008, leading to a notice from the Medical Council of India threatening to halt MBBS admissions.

Upon assuming my role, I promptly addressed these deficiencies in alignment with established parameters, covering aspects such as manpower, faculty, nursing staff, paramedics, beds, and laboratories. Consequently, LHMC is now well-prepared for 240 MBBS admissions after a hiatus of 15 years.

DTMT: Could you elaborate on the steps you've taken for enhancing healthcare services at LHMC?

Prof Giri: Certainly. If we focus on the hospital facilities, the new hospital building comprises three essential blocks – the Outpatient Department (OPD) block, Inpatient Department (IPD) block, and the emergency block.

In the first phase of our efforts, we initiated services in the IPD block, allocating beds to the orthopedic, surgery, and medicine departments.

Notable improvements include the increase in surgery beds from 75 to 240, a rise in medicine beds from 95 to 240, and an elevation of orthopedic department beds from 65 to 120. All these IPD wards are now fully operational.

Simultaneously, we established a central lab, consolidating various labs that were previously dispersed in an old building. This consolidation not only enhanced efficiency but also ensured quality, optimized manpower, and resulted in cost savings.

To further augment diagnostic services, we introduced round-the-clock CT and MRI services, eliminating the constraint of operating only during OPD hours.

Additionally, the casualty or accident emergency block was relocated to a new building on the ground floor. This block is equipped with eight beds for triage, twenty observation beds, thirty emergency beds, and six ICU beds.

Two minor operating theaters and essential facilities such as ECG, dressing, ultrasound, a 100 MA XRay plant, CT scan, and plaster services are all available on the same floor.

We've also designated 30 beds for disaster management, and plans are underway to commence MRI services on the ground floor.

To alleviate the strain on existing facilities, we are establishing a pediatric emergency unit.

In the medicine department, ICU beds have been increased from four to twelve, and separate beds have been allocated for thalassemia patients.

Moreover, we have a dedicated building for oncology, developed over the past four to five years.

While OPD services were already operational, the facility lacked radiotherapy equipment. Currently, brachytherapy has been commissioned, and we are awaiting the arrival of the radium source. Starting January 2024, we will commence radiotherapy services. Additionally, we are in the process of procuring a linear accelerator (LINAC) machine and have already made the necessary payment. In the next three to four months, we anticipate having a fully operational cancer treatment unit.

DTMT: Will there be an addition of any new departments?

Prof Giri: As far as the new departments and new courses are concerned. We have started new fetal medicine courses with the gynecology department.

There has been a shortage of hostels for residents because the number of MBBS medicines and PG courses have increased in the last couple of years.

For that we have planned two new buildings.

One is for UGs in which one thousand students can stay and we are planning to increase capacity at RMO hostel so that one thousand doctors can stay there too.

Both the projects are under presentation with government agencies and we hope we will get funds for that and the Union Health Minister will allow for it.

Additionally, we are also planning to set up a new building for Kalawati Saran Hospital in place of the old building. We are under process for the Department of Expenditure note. The design is in the roughly final stage.

We are also working on the attitude of doctors towards patients so that the patient is satisfied. We are changing the perception that only the poor goes to the government.

We have observed that the patient profile is changing. Poor as well affluent patients also come as they trust our services. For that I thank all HoDs, nurses, faculties, residents, students, and unions.