CHANDIGARH, 17.04.26-The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, concluded its fortnight-long SwachhataPakhwada 2026 (1st to 15th April 2026) with a vibrant Awards Ceremony held at the Institute. The valedictory function celebrated the collective contribution of the PGIMER fraternity towards the nationwide mission of cleanliness, hygiene and infection-free healthcare environments.

Prof. R.K. Ratho, Dean (Academics), PGIMER Chandigarh, was the Chief Guest on the occasion, while Prof. Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent, PGIMER Chandigarh, graced the event as the Guest of Honour. The ceremony was attended in large numbers by Faculty Members, Resident Doctors, Nursing Officers, Sanitation and Housekeeping Staff, Security Personnel and other Healthcare Workers of the Institute.

Address by the Chief Guest

In his address, Prof. R.K. Ratho, Dean (Academics), emphasised the pivotal role of Swachhata in preventing the spread of infection. Drawing from his rich experience in the field of Virology, he highlighted how simple practices such as hand hygiene, appropriate segregation of biomedical waste, surface disinfection and environmental cleanliness form the cornerstone of infection prevention and control within any healthcare facility.

Address by the Guest of Honour

Prof. Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent, addressed the gathering on the broader role of Swachhata in everyday life. He stressed that cleanliness is not a one-time activity but a continuous way of life — at home, in the workplace, and in the community. He urged every member of the PGIMER family to carry the spirit of Swachhta Pakhwada beyond the fortnight and to become ambassadors of cleanliness in their neighbourhoods".

Overview of Pakhwada Activities by the Nodal Officer

Dr. Vijay Tadia, Nodal Officer, Swachhta Pakhwada 2026, presented a comprehensive overview of the fortnight-long activities organised across the Institute. He informed the gathering that the Pakhwada was structured as a series of thematic days, each designed to engage a different section of the hospital community and to translate the theme of “Swachh Aspataal, Surakshit Rogi” (Clean Hospital, Safe Patient) into visible action on the ground. Key activities during the Pakhwada included-

• Swachhata Shapath (Cleanliness Pledge)

• Awareness Rally and Human Chain

• Deep Cleaning of OPDs, Wards and Hostels

• Biomedical Waste Management Training

• Hand Hygiene Campaign

• Poster, Slogan and Essay Competitions

• Nukkad Natak (Street Play) and Awareness Skits

• Plantation Drive and Green Campus Initiative

• Single-Use Plastic Elimination Drive

• Cleanliness Drive in the Welfare Colony.

• Health Talks and Awareness Sessions for Sanitation Staff

• Quiz on Infection Prevention and Control:

• Best Worker Award:

• Safai Mitra Suraksha Shivir

• Distribution of Swachhata Awards

Swachhata Awards were conferred upon the winners of the various competitions conducted during the Pakhwada, including the Poster, Slogan, Essay and Quiz competitions, and the “Swachhata Champion” recognitions. The winners came from across the institutional community — faculty members, resident doctors, nursing officers, paramedical staff and students — reflecting the truly collaborative spirit of the Pakhwada.

Message from the Director

In his message on the occasion, Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER Chandigarh, extended his heartfelt congratulations to the entire PGIMER fraternity for the successful conduct of Swachhta Pakhwada 2026. He observed that in a healthcare institution of the scale of PGIMER, where thousands of patients are cared for each day, cleanliness is not merely an aesthetic concern but a direct determinant of patient safety, clinical outcomes and institutional credibility.

"A clean hospital is the first line of treatment. Every hand washed, every surface disinfected, every bin correctly segregated is, in effect, a silent act of healing. Swachhata at PGIMER is therefore not a fortnight-long campaign — it is a year-round discipline and a shared duty of every member of this Institute, from faculty and residents to nursing officers, sanitation staff, security personnel and the residents of our Welfare Colony."

— Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER Chandigarh