Page 10 - eBook_CCM
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on time conservatively. I offered him 4 HDU (What is HDU?) beds in each ward as offsite critical care beds under the department of
critical care. However, due to a paucity of manpower, this plan could not be sustained at that time.
To match the growing patient care needs in the institute, in-house sourcing and bed side awless supply of quality medicines and
consumables- at reasonable cost- became necessary. We decided to take bull by the horns to establish the HRF, fully conscious of the
enormity of the task. Instant and erce resistance from several powerful quarters was simulated in the planning. But for the meticulous
planning of Arvind and his team, we would not have the HRF as we see it today in its full bloom.
While we conceived the idea of the critical care department at the institute, it was not an easy task to convince the faculty and the Head
of Anesthesiology to agree to the proposed split of the parent department of Anesthesiology and Critical care. Arvind was one of the
faculty members who made the difcult decision at a young age to leave anesthesia for a full-time career in a yet-to-be-developed
specialty. That was the rst testimony of his genuine love for the specialty of critical care. I must thank Dr P.K Singh, the then Head of the
combined department for readily consenting for the separation and convincing his colleagues in the department paving the way for
the creation of this facility.
Most of the department was conceived and planned during our joint lunches in the operating room lounge, which had become
integral part of my daily routine irrespective of the fact whether I had an operating schedule or not. It was an opportunity to enjoy
homemade cuisine from a variety of sources. There too Arvind’s lunch was distinct with his well-organized lunch box containing
several mini, neatly laid containers of varying sizes with an all-inclusive regular lunch including a dessert. I was desperately looking for
an excellent team for Arvind and the rst sh I could catch was from Chandigarh. During one of my professional visits to PGI
Chandigarh, Banani Poddar came as highly recommended candidate. I made a rush through visit to the Government Medical
College Chandigarh to meet with her and convinced her to join the team at the beginning of the journey of the department. Her
subsequent acceptance more than covered the pediatric needs for the department.
I am but one of many who recognize how much SGPGI has gained immensely from dedication and hard work. I am also pleased for
Arvind to be moving to a developing state to establish a new institution carrying his portable and immense talent. The loss of SGPGI is
a gain to Pithoragarh. I wish him well in all of his future endeavors.
Mahendra Bhandari
8
critical care. However, due to a paucity of manpower, this plan could not be sustained at that time.
To match the growing patient care needs in the institute, in-house sourcing and bed side awless supply of quality medicines and
consumables- at reasonable cost- became necessary. We decided to take bull by the horns to establish the HRF, fully conscious of the
enormity of the task. Instant and erce resistance from several powerful quarters was simulated in the planning. But for the meticulous
planning of Arvind and his team, we would not have the HRF as we see it today in its full bloom.
While we conceived the idea of the critical care department at the institute, it was not an easy task to convince the faculty and the Head
of Anesthesiology to agree to the proposed split of the parent department of Anesthesiology and Critical care. Arvind was one of the
faculty members who made the difcult decision at a young age to leave anesthesia for a full-time career in a yet-to-be-developed
specialty. That was the rst testimony of his genuine love for the specialty of critical care. I must thank Dr P.K Singh, the then Head of the
combined department for readily consenting for the separation and convincing his colleagues in the department paving the way for
the creation of this facility.
Most of the department was conceived and planned during our joint lunches in the operating room lounge, which had become
integral part of my daily routine irrespective of the fact whether I had an operating schedule or not. It was an opportunity to enjoy
homemade cuisine from a variety of sources. There too Arvind’s lunch was distinct with his well-organized lunch box containing
several mini, neatly laid containers of varying sizes with an all-inclusive regular lunch including a dessert. I was desperately looking for
an excellent team for Arvind and the rst sh I could catch was from Chandigarh. During one of my professional visits to PGI
Chandigarh, Banani Poddar came as highly recommended candidate. I made a rush through visit to the Government Medical
College Chandigarh to meet with her and convinced her to join the team at the beginning of the journey of the department. Her
subsequent acceptance more than covered the pediatric needs for the department.
I am but one of many who recognize how much SGPGI has gained immensely from dedication and hard work. I am also pleased for
Arvind to be moving to a developing state to establish a new institution carrying his portable and immense talent. The loss of SGPGI is
a gain to Pithoragarh. I wish him well in all of his future endeavors.
Mahendra Bhandari
8
