NEW DELHI: Delhi University has decided to renovate its health centrein North Campus. However, DU’s decision to shift it to the basement of Umang Bhawan at Law Faculty during the construction period has become a cause of concern among teaching and non-teaching staff, who are arguing against running a medical facility from an area with no proper ventilation or sunlight.
Some of the staff working at the World University Service (WUS) health centre has also written to DU urging it to reconsider the decision. All teaching and non-teaching staff are members of the centre and contribute to it monthly as insurance charge. Devendra Sharma, the president of the Delhi University and College Karmachari Union, said, “On September 12, a meeting of the advisory committee was held and the staff were informed about the shift.”
The centre was commissioned by the World University Service, a Geneva-based international non-governmental organisation, in March 1955. The website of the centre states that approximately 7,200 superannuated university employees, over 18,500 permanent employees, their dependents and several resident and non-resident students are availing of its services. It has been catering to 600-800 beneficiaries every day for the past several years.
“It has X-ray facilities and labs, and different specialists come to attend to patients. The building that the university is planning to shift it to has a low height, no ventilation, no proper sunlight. The toilet facility may also not be adequate. If any infected patient comes, it can easily spread to others in such an environment,” said a staffer at the centre.
A teachers added, “The construction is not going to get completed in a short time. It would take a few years, and the centre functioning from the basement for that period is not a good idea. A medical facility needs to follow certain rules and the university is not thinking about various problems associated with its decision.”
Seema Das, an Executive Council member, said the vice-chancellor’s house could be well utilised to run the facility. “Both students and teachers utilise the facility for regular and emergency purposes. With the classes functioning on the other floors, the environment won’t be right for unwell people. Other buildings can be utilised; the VC’s house is vacant for now,” said Das.
The chief medical administrator of the WUS health centre did not want to comment on the issue.
We also published the following articles recently
Some of the staff working at the World University Service (WUS) health centre has also written to DU urging it to reconsider the decision. All teaching and non-teaching staff are members of the centre and contribute to it monthly as insurance charge. Devendra Sharma, the president of the Delhi University and College Karmachari Union, said, “On September 12, a meeting of the advisory committee was held and the staff were informed about the shift.”
The centre was commissioned by the World University Service, a Geneva-based international non-governmental organisation, in March 1955. The website of the centre states that approximately 7,200 superannuated university employees, over 18,500 permanent employees, their dependents and several resident and non-resident students are availing of its services. It has been catering to 600-800 beneficiaries every day for the past several years.
“It has X-ray facilities and labs, and different specialists come to attend to patients. The building that the university is planning to shift it to has a low height, no ventilation, no proper sunlight. The toilet facility may also not be adequate. If any infected patient comes, it can easily spread to others in such an environment,” said a staffer at the centre.
A teachers added, “The construction is not going to get completed in a short time. It would take a few years, and the centre functioning from the basement for that period is not a good idea. A medical facility needs to follow certain rules and the university is not thinking about various problems associated with its decision.”
Seema Das, an Executive Council member, said the vice-chancellor’s house could be well utilised to run the facility. “Both students and teachers utilise the facility for regular and emergency purposes. With the classes functioning on the other floors, the environment won’t be right for unwell people. Other buildings can be utilised; the VC’s house is vacant for now,” said Das.
The chief medical administrator of the WUS health centre did not want to comment on the issue.
We also published the following articles recently
Kerala One Health Centre for Nipah Research opened
The Kerala One Health Centre for Nipah Research, established at Kozhikode medical college hospital, aims to become a global leader in Nipah research. The center will focus on understanding how the Nipah virus is transmitted from fruit-eating bats to humans and will analyze data collected through community surveillance. The departments of health, agriculture, forests and wildlife, and animal husbandry will collaborate in the functioning of the research center. Efforts are also being made to develop indigenous monoclonal antibodies to treat Nipah virus patients. Kerala’s excellent medical treatment and efficient monitoring helped limit the mortality rate in the last Nipah outbreak.
The Kerala One Health Centre for Nipah Research, established at Kozhikode medical college hospital, aims to become a global leader in Nipah research. The center will focus on understanding how the Nipah virus is transmitted from fruit-eating bats to humans and will analyze data collected through community surveillance. The departments of health, agriculture, forests and wildlife, and animal husbandry will collaborate in the functioning of the research center. Efforts are also being made to develop indigenous monoclonal antibodies to treat Nipah virus patients. Kerala’s excellent medical treatment and efficient monitoring helped limit the mortality rate in the last Nipah outbreak.
Telemedicine cuts patient burden at tertiary centres
A recent study conducted by the department of telemedicine at PGI found that non-emergency patients can be effectively managed through teleconsultation, reducing the need for unnecessary hospital visits. The study involved 3,219 patients, with the majority presenting gynecological issues. Electronic prescriptions were given to 85% of the cases, and only 6% required physical evaluation at a hospital. The study highlighted the benefits of video chat, including increased patient satisfaction and reduced anxiety. Overall, telemedicine was found to be a valuable tool in managing patients and alleviating the burden on tertiary care centers.
A recent study conducted by the department of telemedicine at PGI found that non-emergency patients can be effectively managed through teleconsultation, reducing the need for unnecessary hospital visits. The study involved 3,219 patients, with the majority presenting gynecological issues. Electronic prescriptions were given to 85% of the cases, and only 6% required physical evaluation at a hospital. The study highlighted the benefits of video chat, including increased patient satisfaction and reduced anxiety. Overall, telemedicine was found to be a valuable tool in managing patients and alleviating the burden on tertiary care centers.
Classes hit as Kolhan University has only 300 teachers, 400 posts vacant
The non-appointment of a vice-chancellor at Kolhan University is causing a shortage of around 300 teachers out of a total of 700 seats. The university, which caters to over 80,000 students, has been without a vice-chancellor and pro-vice-chancellor since May. This has resulted in a lack of important bodies such as the finance committee and syndicate meeting, hindering the university’s financial and academic work. The appointment of a permanent vice-chancellor is awaiting a meeting between the chief minister and the governor, who is also the chancellor of universities in Jharkhand.
The non-appointment of a vice-chancellor at Kolhan University is causing a shortage of around 300 teachers out of a total of 700 seats. The university, which caters to over 80,000 students, has been without a vice-chancellor and pro-vice-chancellor since May. This has resulted in a lack of important bodies such as the finance committee and syndicate meeting, hindering the university’s financial and academic work. The appointment of a permanent vice-chancellor is awaiting a meeting between the chief minister and the governor, who is also the chancellor of universities in Jharkhand.
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