The Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, Chandigarh, is set to adopt the highly successful 'Project Sarathi' model, which has significantly reduced patient wait times at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER). This expansion follows the central government's recognition of the initiative as a national best practice.
National Benchmark for Public Health
Launched in May 2024, Project Sarathi deploys student volunteers from the National Service Scheme (NSS) to guide patients through crowded outpatient departments and diagnostic centres. The programme has rapidly expanded across India, with the health and family welfare ministry designating it as a 'best practice' and linking it to the national experiential learning framework on the MY Bharat portal.
To date, the initiative has onboarded 1,467 hospitals across 34 states and Union territories, with 647 institutes actively engaging more than 6,400 volunteers. GMCH's adoption follows measurable improvements in patient care metrics at PGIMER over the past two years.
Implementation at GMCH
PGIMER deputy director of administration Pankaj Rai confirmed that GMCH has initiated the programme, with staff already dispatched to support the transition. By integrating local student volunteers, the hospital aims to ease logistical stress for visitors while fostering civic service among regional youth.
This expansion marks a significant step in improving healthcare accessibility and efficiency in public hospitals across India.
