Punjab Health Facilities Undergoing Transformation, Government Hospitals Being Upgraded
As part of a major scheme, government hospitals in Punjab are being revamped to improve patient care.
Chandigarh: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab government is taking significant steps to enhance primary, secondary, and tertiary health facilities in the state. A range of initiatives aimed at upgrading health infrastructure and services are yielding substantial results, with a focus on making government hospitals better than private ones.
As part of a major scheme, government hospitals in Punjab are being revamped to improve patient care. Emergency wards will be modernized, and facilitation centers will be set up in every ward to control crowding. These centers will ensure that only one relative of a patient is allowed to accompany them into the emergency ward, while dedicated medical and paramedical staff assist patients.
In addition to these upgrades, the Punjab government has announced the construction of new government medical colleges in four districts: Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Sangrur, and Malerkotla. The construction of these colleges is set to begin within the next six months, further boosting medical education and healthcare accessibility in the state.
Significant Reduction in Dengue Cases and Deaths
Efforts by the health department to combat dengue have resulted in a 55% reduction in cases and a 70% drop in dengue-related deaths compared to the previous year. The anti-dengue campaign, "Every Friday, Attack on Dengue," launched by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has been highly effective in raising awareness and implementing preventive measures.
Tackling Tuberculosis Through Awareness
The Health and Family Welfare Department has launched a 100-day awareness campaign aimed at eradicating tuberculosis (TB) in Punjab. Teams have been dispatched across the state to educate people about TB symptoms and the importance of early detection. Residents are encouraged to get sputum tests if they experience a persistent cough for more than two weeks, ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment to eliminate TB from affected areas.
Aam Aadmi Clinics: A Game-Changer in Primary Healthcare
The state’s flagship initiative, the "Aam Aadmi Clinic" project, has been a resounding success in providing free healthcare to millions of people. As of now, 881 clinics are operational across Punjab, with 316 in urban areas and 565 in rural regions. These clinics offer 80 types of free medicines and 38 diagnostic tests, significantly reducing healthcare expenses for residents.
Since their inception, these clinics have treated 2.58 crore patients, including 1.08 crore first-time patients and 1.5 crore repeat patients. The initiative has saved residents approximately ₹1,200 crore in healthcare costs. On the 75th Independence Day, Chief Minister Mann dedicated 75 additional clinics to the state, further expanding access to affordable healthcare.
Strengthening Health Infrastructure
Punjab has 3,134 functional health and wellness centers providing comprehensive primary healthcare services. Additionally, new community health officers have been recruited to enhance these services. The state’s dialysis facilities have also been significantly upgraded, with 168 dialysis machines available across 40 hospitals in 23 districts, including sub-divisional hospitals and community health centers. From April to November 2024, these centers provided 32,800 dialysis sessions to 4,831 patients.
The Punjab government continues to focus on improving health services, ensuring access to quality care, and promoting preventive measures to build a healthier state.