Respiratory Medicine

The department provides comprehensive consultation, evaluation and treatment of the whole range of respiratory diseases. In addition to daily outpatient and inpatient services, the unit conducts weekly speciality clinics for patients suffering from asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and rheumatic pulmonary problems. This has led to a steady flow of patients to the hospital’s general and critical care wards.

In 2005, the department started a DOTS laboratory for the revised national tuberculosis control programme. It offers an isolation ward and DOTS Plus services to cure patients with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis and prevent its propagation. The unit is collaborating with the district TB health society and is functioning effectively with free supply of drugs given under the national programme.

Its portable laboratory helps to diagnose chronic conditions such as sleep apnea, which obstructs proper relaxation at night due to inadequate breathing or collapsed airways, leading to excessive sleepiness during the day. The unit also does allergen tests in collaboration with the Department of Dermatology. Besides, physiotherapy and pulmonary rehabilitation is available for patients with chronic respiratory diseases.

The department has a research laboratory to conduct therapeutic trials. Another facility available at the department is the paediatric bronchoscope, which is used to diagnose and treat children. It has adult bronchoscopes and video bronchoscopes that are often used to teach postgraduate students.

The department started offering postgraduate training in 2009 with a diploma in tuberculosis and chest diseases. A degree course followed in 2011. So, every year, two students are trained in the postgraduate programmes that are recognised by the Medical Council of India.

The department conducts seminars, workshops, guest lectures and continuing medical education regularly. It also organises many public awareness programmes for general practitioners in the city and nearby areas. It ensures that all patients with respiratory emergencies receive immediate medical attention and protocol-based care with excellent results under the supervision of experts round the clock.

In the near future, the department is planning an expansion with an emphasis on interventional pulmonology. It has a plan to collaborate with the Department of Medical Oncology to start services for patients with lung cancer. Expansion of researchrelated activities, innovative teaching methods using a simulation laboratory besides much better patient care, health education, and counselling are some of the other goals set by the department.