TNNChandigarh: Prof. Vivek Lal, director of Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) and Major General Harkirat Singh, commandant of Command Hospital, Chandimandir, set the tone for a two-day National Neuro-Critical Care Summit at PGI on Friday.The summit — ‘Brain Waves–2026′ — marked a powerful convergence of PGI’s clinical excellence and the disciplined medical innovation of the Armed Forces.Major General Harkirat Singh, a nuclear medicine specialist, said that military medical services have long pioneered rapid response systems that are now being integrated into civilian settings to benefit the nation at large.Prof. Lal, who inaugurated the summit, emphasised that neuro-critical emergencies demand extreme precision and seamless teamwork, and noted that the collaboration with Army medical services is vital for optimising care during the “golden hour” — the critical window where rapid intervention can prevent permanent disability or death.This national summit, organised in collaboration with the Society for Emergency, Trauma and Disaster (SETD), Society for Critical Care Nursing, and BHISHM Project, attracted over 300 delegates, including medical professionals from 16 AIIMS institutions, Indian Army, Air Force, and various state police and civil administrations.The central theme, ‘Golden Hour and Beyond: Race Against Time in Neuro Emergencies’, highlighted the necessity of evidence-based, well-coordinated interventions for stroke and neurotrauma. Dr. Navdeep, road safety advisor for Punjab, pointed out that effective management of neurological crises relies on the integration of law enforcement and emergency evacuation services with premier medical facilities.Beyond theoretical discussions, the summit featured high-intensity, hands-on workshops designed to translate academic knowledge into immediate clinical action. These included a stroke simulation workshop focused on rapid IV thrombolysis, a trauma and neuro-surgical workshop addressing high-pressure surgical decision-making, and a specialised session on paediatric and neonatal critical care. By bringing together eminent speakers such as Prof. Dheeraj Khurana and Dr. Raman Sharma from PGI, the event provided a comprehensive platform to address clinical protocols and system-level challenges.MSID:: 127817892 413 |
