Hospitals across Delhi have strengthened emergency and medical preparedness ahead of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, with arrangements activated at facilities and locations expected to be visited by foreign dignitaries.
A health ministry official said medical facilities and emergency care had been detailed at all relevant 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 provisions to mobilise additional surgeons for emergency procedures and operating theatre services if required.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences, which had earlier notified a closure on September 11 in connection with the summit, has withdrawn that order. AIIMS will remain open, according to the report.
Private hospitals have also expanded their contingency arrangements. At PSRI Hospital, the emergency department will remain operational around the clock, with facilities available for first aid, trauma stabilisation and critical admission care for patients who may be routed from the summit. The hospital has earmarked 21 disaster beds, kept operating theatres on standby and deployed a 20-member quick response team.
PSRI officials said mock drills had been conducted to test response times and patient-transfer procedures. The chief district medical officer for south Delhi and other officials also inspected the hospital’s disaster-response 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 as part of its contingency plan. Similar preparations have been reported at 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 cover both hospitals and nursing homes expected to support emergency care during the summit. The health ministry’s arrangements include facilities at locations associated with the visiting dignitaries, while individual hospitals have assigned staff, beds, ambulances and operating capacity to respond to urgent cases during the event.
