NEW DELHI: Hospitals in Delhi have stepped up medical and emergency preparedness ahead of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, with officials in the health ministry saying arrangements have been put in place at hospitals and other locations which dignitaries are expected to visit.“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, an emergency duty roster has been made by the department of surgery, with teams assigned for each day of the summit. The hospital has made provisions to mobilise additional surgeons for emergency procedures and operation theatre services, if required.AIIMS, which had earlier notified closure on Sept 11 for the summit, has withdrawn the order. It will remain open.Private hospitals have also strengthened their contingency arrangements. At PSRI Hospital, the emergency department will remain operational round the clock, with arrangements for first aid, trauma stabilisation and critical admission care for patients who may be routed from the summit.PSRI Hospital has earmarked 21 disaster beds, kept OTs on standby and deployed a 20-member quick response team. Mock drills have tested response times and patient-transfer procedures, while chief district medical officer, south, officials inspected the hospital’s disaster protocols. “We have advanced cardiac life support ambulances for handling emergencies,” said Dr Anju Wali, medical director, PSRI Hospital.At Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, ICU and other critical-care beds have been kept available. The plan covers hospitals and nursing homes such as Dr BL Kapur Memorial Hospital, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Primus Super Speciality Hospital, Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket and Patparganj, Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre, and ISIC Multi Speciality Hospital.
