There is good news for the elderly above 80 years of age in the city. The Health Department is now preparing to provide better health services by visiting their homes. In the first phase of this scheme, 1,874 elderly people have been identified. Among them, there are many who live alone, while many are struggling with health problems even while living with their families. Health Director Dr. Suman Singh said that the ANM team has recently completed this survey in the city. After this, the department has decided to start a pilot project. The purpose of this scheme is to strengthen the health and mental courage of the elderly. Under this project, a 5-member team will visit the homes of the elderly. This team will include doctors, staff nurses, attendants and ambulance service. This team will conduct regular checkups of the elderly, especially paying attention to common but serious diseases like blood pressure, diabetes. If needed, the patient will be shifted to GMSH-16 (Government Multi Specialty Hospital). For this, there will be a dedicated ambulance service especially for the elderly.
Priority to helpless and serious patients
The Health Director said that in this scheme, priority will be given first to those elderly who live completely alone, cannot walk, are disabled or remain bedridden. For such helpless and serious patients, the team will not only check their health regularly, but will also provide every treatment facility to their home if needed. This means that now these elderly will not have the trouble of going to the hospital, rather doctors, nurses, attendants and ambulance services will reach directly to their doorstep.
In the first phase, elderly above 80, then 70 years will be included
Dr. Suman Singh said that initially only elderly above 80 years are being included in this scheme. First we will understand the needs of these elderly, then gradually people above 70 years will also be included. The health department believes that going to the house and doing health checkup will increase the confidence of the elderly. Many elderly people shy away from going to the hospital or are unable to go due to physical problems. In such a situation, this initiative will give them relief both mentally and physically. This scheme is not limited to just providing treatment, but will also create a human connection with the elderly. When the doctor and health team will come to their home, they will listen to them, understand their problems. If this pilot project is successful, then it will be implemented on a large scale in the whole of Chandigarh. In future, mobile health units and telemedicine services can also be added, so that the elderly can be saved from long queues in hospitals.
New arrangements in the hospital too Special help desks will be made in the wards
New arrangements are also being made in the hospital for the convenience of the elderly and patients. In the recently held 4th Rogi Kalyan Samiti meeting, it was decided that a dedicated ambulance service will be started for the elderly and bedridden patients. Apart from this, special help desks will be set up in OPD, Gynecology department and emergency ward so that patients and their relatives can get immediate help. At the same time, six care attendants will be deployed to help those patients who come to the hospital without any relatives, who will help them in treatment and other important tasks.
