A machine used for sterilisation of surgical instruments at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) has been defunct for more than two weeks now.
A source in the PGIMER administration has said that the problem in the main autoclave at the institute's Nehru Hospital has delayed several surgeries in the past fortnight. Now, surgical instruments meant for operation theatres at Nehru Hospital are being sterilised at other PGIMER centres like the Advanced Cardiac Centre and Advanced Trauma Centre, and then supplied to Nehru Hospital operation theatres, the source said. "The present arrangement routinely delays surgeries at Nehru Hospital," the source said.
The problem with the autoclave at Nehru Hospital is that it overheats early. While the problem has delayed surgeries, it also risks human lives. An official of the PGIMER's engineering wing has said that an autoclave is just like a pressure cooker and can blast also. "It can lead to a major tragedy," the source said.
Manjun Wadwalkar, the official spokesperson of the PGIMER, was not available for comments.