Newly Inaugurated Clinics will have a Robust Digital Infrastructure: Health Minister

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government is set to unveil an additional 76 mohalla clinics across the state on August 14, supplementing the existing 75 Aam Aadmi clinics. The clinics, inaugurated by Chief Minister Punjab Bhagwant Mann, will provide essential healthcare services to a staggering 44 lakh people. Cabinet Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, addressing a press conference, shared that out of the total 583 Aam Aadmi clinics, 403 are located in rural villages, while 180 are situated in urban areas.

The Minister Dr. Balbir Singh revealed that these Aam Aadmi clinics have already provided medical treatment to more than 44 lakh individuals. The clinics have conducted over 20 lakh medical tests, including 38 different types of diagnostic examinations. Notably, these clinics have distributed over 30 crore medicines, providing invaluable healthcare support to the people of Punjab. Impressively, the Punjab government has borne the cost of these services, ensuring that the burden does not fall on the public.

In a significant stride towards digital healthcare, Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh shared that the newly inaugurated clinics will have a robust digital infrastructure. This includes three types of digital records accessible to doctors, registrars, and pharmacists, ensuring comprehensive and efficient healthcare management.

Furthermore, as part of a comprehensive emergency service improvement initiative, 550 house surgeons will be on round-the-clock duty. Their honorarium has been increased from Rs 30,000 to Rs 70,000, resulting in enhanced medical services, even during challenging times like floods.

Addressing the critical issue of employment for MD-MS postgraduate doctors, Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh stated that the Punjab government will now provide 100% job placement for these doctors, aligning with court conditions. This new initiative aims to rectify a situation where postgraduate doctors were left without jobs or bond enforcement for fifteen years.

Dr. Balbir Singh expressed confidence in bridging the shortage of specialist doctors in hospitals within the next two years. The focus extends to upgrading infrastructure, equipment, and manpower across secondary and tertiary care facilities, including hospitals, district hospitals, sub-division hospitals, and community health centers.

Notably, Several crucial projects are underway to enhance healthcare services in the region. A trauma center with a budget of 233 crores is being established at Government Medical College, Patiala. The project also involves increasing postgraduate seats in Patiala and Amritsar by 25 each, resulting in a total of 200 additional seats over the existing 1650. This will contribute to increasing the total government seats from 850 to 1050.

Dr. Balbir Singh highlighted the holistic approach to healthcare being implemented in Punjab. Initiatives include the launch of a neurosurgery clinic, the introduction of the PETCT-Scan and Nuclear Medicine department at Amritsar Cancer Hospital, and the expansion of medical colleges with new beds at Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur.

Underlining the emphasis on prevention, Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh announced a scheme called "Prevention of Diseases." This initiative aims to reach 25,000 people through a thousand camps, leveraging the expertise of 281 trend yoga experts. This ambitious program positions Punjab as a trailblazer in the field of preventive healthcare.

Additionally, notable progress has been made under the "Every Friday Dengue Te War" scheme. Addressing various diseases, including dengue, chikungunya, malaria, and lifestyle disorders such as BP, diabetes, obesity, and cancer, yoga has been a pivotal component.

A Pilot project is slated to begin in Patiala, involving basic tests for BP and diabetes on one lakh people. The program's ultimate objective is to expand to three crore residents of Punjab, with collaboration between government and private doctors.