Shimona.kanwar@timesofindia.comChandigarh: PGI has launched an austerity campaign to slash its carbon footprint and conserve resources during the ongoing economic crisis. As part of the effort, the institute will trade fuel-guzzling cars for bicycles and waiting rooms for digital screens.The campus-wide initiative encourages all employees — including senior doctors living within residential sectors — to cycle to work. The directive follows the Prime Minister’s call to restrict non-official travel and voluntarily embrace resource conservation.“Non-official travel is being voluntarily restricted by our staff. Cycling is being encouraged,” PGI director Prof Vivek Lal said, clarifying that they did not have the work from home option for staff.PGI is also launching a major telemedicine initiative to ease the burden on patients and hospital infrastructure. Four key departments have already generated digital IDs and are fully equipped to transition to virtual follow-ups. These include departments of endocrinology, gastroenterology, pain clinic and pediatric dentistry.This digital follow-up is expected to drastically reduce patient waiting times, save fuel, and significantly cut down the institution’s carbon footprint. Since the Union ministry of health and family welfare has not yet issued any official mandates regarding these austerity measures, PGI’s proactive stance is a self-regulated green movement.Moreover, the summer vacation for 50% of the faculty has officially commenced, sparking a internal debate on resource management. “This vacation period is the absolute best time to conserve hospital resources. Even though most of these faculty members voluntarily come to the office during their leave to pursue research, they should be discouraged from doing so right now to maximise utility savings,” said a senior faculty member.
