Chandigarh's Largest Emergency Block Faces Overwhelming Demand

As of November 14th, 2025, Chandigarh's newly inaugurated Emergency and Trauma Block at Government Medical College & Hospital is facing an unprecedented influx of patients. The 207-bed facility, which opened just two months ago in August, has already witnessed a nearly three-fold increase in the number of patients from across the region.

With over 100% occupancy and around 300 patients admitted daily, the system is under immense pressure. According to Prof G P Thami, Director-Principal of GMCH, the new block was expected to reduce the burden on the PGI Emergency, which previously treated an average of 250-300 patients per day. However, the reality is that the government hospitals in Chandigarh continue to face this overwhelming rush, and no matter how many beds are added, the need for more resources, especially in the emergency and trauma departments, remains.

The new state-of-the-art facility comprises two basements and three upper storeys, housing advanced triage, surgical, and intensive care units, as well as comprehensive diagnostic services. This infrastructure was designed to improve emergency care outcomes by reducing delays, disabilities, and mortality among critically ill and trauma patients. But with the current surge in demand, the healthcare staff are struggling to keep up, and the system is facing significant challenges.

Prof Thami emphasizes that until the health services on the periphery are improved and the referral system is streamlined, the government hospitals in Chandigarh will continue to bear the brunt of this unprecedented patient influx. The plan to ease the burden on the maternity ward by utilizing the old emergency area has also been shelved, as the new block itself is facing a shortage of beds.