Chandigarh: The latest annual report of PGI shows a staggering OPD load, with total footfall rising to 27,45,078 visits in 2024-25, up from 27,12,638 in 2023-24. The figures point to a gradual shift in patient dynamics across north India, with the premier institute increasingly emerging as a centre for long-term care rather than first-time consultations.Even as new patient registrations declined by over 40,000 — from 9,92,736 in 2023-24 to 9,51,743 in 2024-25 — the number of follow-up visits rose sharply. Old patient visits increased by more than 73,000, from 17,19,902 to 17,93,335, indicating growing dependence on continued treatment at the institute.The trend is reflected across high-volume departments. Internal Medicine remained the busiest, handling 2,70,630 patients in 2024-25, nearly unchanged from 2,75,151 the previous year. Ophthalmology saw a rise from 3,09,104 to 3,14,156 visits, underlining growing eye-care demand, while cardiology (1,42,474) and dermatology (1,31,998) continued to record high patient volumes.A gender-wise break-up shows men accounting for a higher share of OPD visits. In 2024-25, total male visits stood at 14,27,132, driven by a jump in follow-ups to 9,21,786 despite a dip in new registrations to 5,05,346. Female visits reached 13,17,380, with new cases falling to 4,46,214 while follow-ups rose to 8,71,166.Department-wise patterns also show clear gender trends. Cardiology remained male-dominated, with 22,303 new male patients against 16,577 female patients, and a significantly higher number of returning male patients. In contrast, dermatology saw greater female participation, with 27,924 new female patients compared to 7,224 males.The “Other” gender category also recorded a rise, with total patients increasing from 470 in 2023-24 to 568 in 2024-25 — a 20.8% jump.The drop in new registrations suggests some diversion to primary and secondary healthcare centres for initial consultations. “However, the sharp rise in follow-up cases indicates that once patients enter the PGI system, they continue to depend on it for long-term care,” a faculty member said.Decoding The Data: Key Trends & ShiftsOverall load rising: 27.45 lakh OPD visits in 2024-25 vs 27.12 lakh in 2023-24Fewer new patients: New registrations drop by 40,000+ to 9.51 lakhFollow-ups surge: Old patient visits jump to 17.93 lakh, driving overall increaseCare shift: PGI increasingly handling long-term, continuous treatment casesDepartment-wise loadInternal Medicine: 2.70 lakh patients (highest volume, largely stable)Ophthalmology: Up to 3.14 lakh visits, signalling rising eye-care demandCardiology: 1.42 lakh cases, steady high loadDermatology: 1.31 lakh cases, consistent volumeGender trendsMale visits: 14.27 lakh (higher share; follow-ups key driver)Female visits: 13.17 lakh (new cases dip, follow-ups rise)Specialty patternsCardiology: Male-dominated (far higher new + follow-up male patients)Dermatology: Female-dominated in new registrationsOther categoryRising numbers: 470 → 568 patients (20.8% increase)Key takeaway:Decline in fresh cases but surge in follow-ups indicates PGI’s growing role as a long-term care hub rather than a primary consultation centre
