Hospitals across Delhi have activated medical and emergency preparedness measures ahead of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, with dedicated teams, emergency beds, standby operation theatres and critical-care capacity arranged at facilities linked to the event.
The health ministry said medical facilities and emergency care had been detailed at hospitals and other locations expected to be visited by the summit’s dignitaries. “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,” a health ministry official said.
At Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, the surgery department has prepared an emergency duty roster, assigning teams for each day of the summit. The hospital has also made arrangements to mobilise additional surgeons for emergency procedures and operation theatre services if required.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences, which had earlier notified a closure on September 11 for the summit, has withdrawn that order and will remain open. Private hospitals have also strengthened their contingency arrangements, including emergency response, trauma care and critical-care availability.
PSRI Hospital said its emergency department would operate around the clock during the summit. The hospital has arranged first aid, trauma stabilisation and critical admission care for patients who may be routed from the event. It has earmarked 21 disaster beds, kept operation theatres on standby and deployed a 20-member quick response team.
Mock drills at PSRI tested response times and patient-transfer procedures. The chief district medical officer for south Delhi and other officials also inspected the hospital’s disaster protocols. “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. The broader preparedness plan 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 arrangements are intended to keep emergency medical services functional at hospitals and locations associated with the summit. Hospitals will continue with the notified duty rosters, emergency coverage and standby capacity during the summit period.
