Haryana Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Sumita Misra on Sunday directed officials to introduce QR code-based patient registration at Civil Hospital, Ambala Cantonment, to reduce waiting times and simplify hospital procedures, while warning that negligence in patient care, poor sanitation and inadequate supervision of diagnostic services would not be tolerated.
During a surprise inspection of the hospital, Misra reviewed healthcare facilities, including AYUSH services, emergency care, patient registration, medicine stocks, staffing arrangements, cleanliness and diagnostic services. She instructed the Civil Surgeon to implement a QR code-based registration system to streamline the process and spare patients unnecessary delays and inconvenience.
"Providing the best possible healthcare facilities to the people is the state government's top priority. No negligence in delivering medical services will be tolerated," Misra said, according to an official statement. She stressed that patients must receive timely treatment in a clean and safe environment.
Patient care reviewed
The Additional Chief Secretary visited the general and emergency wards, interacted with admitted patients and sought direct feedback on the quality of treatment and facilities available at the hospital. She also spoke to a doctor on emergency duty to assess patient management, treatment arrangements and the functioning of emergency services.
Emphasising the importance of hygiene in healthcare institutions, Misra directed hospital authorities to maintain strict sanitation standards across wards, treatment areas and other patient facilities. She said cleanliness was essential to ensuring a safe environment for patients and preventing infections.
Misra also reviewed the availability of doctors, supporting staff and essential medicines. The Civil Surgeon informed her that adequate manpower was available and medicine stocks were sufficient to meet patients' requirements.
Diagnostic services under scrutiny
Misra directed senior doctors and hospital administrators to closely monitor MRI, CT scan and other diagnostic facilities operated under public-private partnerships (PPP), making it clear that outsourcing services did not absolve the Health Department of responsibility for their quality and functioning.
She said diagnostic facilities must operate efficiently and provide timely, accurate and reliable services to patients. Senior medical officers were instructed to maintain regular supervision and promptly address deficiencies in their operation.
The Additional Chief Secretary warned that negligence in the functioning of outsourced diagnostic facilities would not be accepted and that accountability must be maintained irrespective of the agency operating the services.
Hospital expansion reviewed
Misra also sought an update on the renovation and expansion of Civil Hospital, Ambala City. Officials informed her that renovation work had been completed and a newly constructed extension, with an additional capacity of 100 to 200 beds, was ready for inauguration.
The additional infrastructure is expected to strengthen public healthcare facilities in the district, increase patient accommodation and reduce pressure on existing hospital services.
Following the inspection, Misra observed that hospital systems were functioning smoothly but stressed that continuous improvements were necessary to maintain the quality of healthcare delivery. She directed doctors and administrators to ensure the availability of essential medical services, maintain high treatment standards and resolve patient grievances without delay.
She reiterated that the state government's priority was to provide accessible, efficient and quality healthcare to every patient visiting government hospitals.