Hospitals across Delhi have activated emergency and contingency arrangements ahead of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, with medical teams, critical-care capacity and emergency services prepared at facilities near locations expected to be visited by dignitaries.
A health ministry official said arrangements had been put in place at hospitals and other summit-related locations. “All hospitals have been appropriately geared up. Facilities, including medical facilities and emergency care, have been detailed at all locations where the dignitaries are likely to visit. All steps and procedures are in place,” the official said.
At Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, the surgery department has prepared an emergency duty roster covering each day of the summit. The hospital has also made arrangements to mobilise additional surgeons for emergency procedures and operating theatre services if required.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences, which had earlier issued a notification about closure on September 11 in connection with the summit, has withdrawn that order. The hospital will remain open.
Private hospitals have also strengthened their contingency plans. PSRI Hospital’s emergency department will operate round the clock, with provisions for first aid, trauma stabilisation and critical admission care for patients who may be routed from summit-related locations. The hospital has earmarked 21 disaster beds, kept operating theatres on standby and deployed a 20-member quick response team.
Mock drills at PSRI have tested response times and patient-transfer procedures. The hospital’s disaster protocols were also inspected by the chief district medical officer for South Delhi and other officials. “We have advanced cardiac life support ambulances for handling emergencies,” said Dr Anju Wali, medical director of PSRI Hospital.
Indraprastha Apollo Hospital has kept intensive care and other critical-care beds available as part of the preparedness plan. The wider arrangement also covers hospitals and nursing homes including Dr BL Kapur Memorial Hospital, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Primus Super Speciality Hospital, Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital in Saket and Patparganj, Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre, and ISIC Multi Speciality Hospital.
The preparations involve both public and private healthcare facilities, with hospitals assigned emergency teams, beds, operating theatres and patient-transfer arrangements. The health ministry official said medical facilities had been detailed at locations that dignitaries were likely to visit. The hospitals are expected to maintain these emergency arrangements through the summit period.
