DW BUREAU / Chandigarh For the first time, the facility of open-heart surgery will be operational soon in the Civil Hospital, Ambala Cantonment, Haryana. Apart from this, the facility of PAT-scan (Positron Emission Tomography) and SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) will also be started for the convenience of cancer patients in Civil Hospital, Ambala Cantonment. This information was given by Haryana Health and Family Welfare Minister, Sh. Anil Vij while presiding over a review meeting with the officers of Health and Family Welfare Department here today. While directing the officers, he said that tenders should be invited soon for the PET-scan so that this facility could be started at the earliest. He also directed the officers to start Open Heart Surgery at Civil Hospital, Ambala Cantonment. According to Sh. Vij, almost 11,000 stents have been implanted in cardiac patients at the civil hospital at Ambala Cantonment in the last three years, which is a record in itself. He informed that more than approximately 3000 OPDs are registered daily in this 100 bedded hospital. The Health Minister informed that a 50-bedded Critical Care Centre will also be set up in the premises of Civil Hospital, Ambala Cantonment. Apart from this, the facility of Dharamshala will also be established for the assistants accompanying the patients. Apart from this, a Spine Injury Centre will also be set up, for which land will be earmarked soon. While directing the officers, Sh. Vij said that efforts should be made in order to establish the TB hospital in Ambala city. The Health Minister said that the work of mapping related to health services in the state will be started soon. Apart from this, he directing the concerned officers that a blueprint should be prepared for providing training related to the latest technology to the doctors and paramedical staff posted at government hospitals, colleges, PHC and CHC level, so that these personnel working in the government sector are exposed to new research going across the globe from time to time. He said that this training will be necessary for all these officers and personnel. Sh. Vij was informed in the meeting that the old buildings of the health department are being identified, for which new norms should be adopted for their reconstruction. Apart from this, the Health Minister has said that work is going on to provide e-upchar facilities in all government hospitals including PHC, CHC, Medical College, the link of this facility will also be given to PGI so that in future the history of any patient can be checked at any place. On this occasion, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Smt. G. Anupama, Director General of AYUSH Department Dr. Saket Kumar etc were present. (editor@dailyworld.in)