CHANDIGARH, September 24:
In a groundbreaking step to bolster the healthcare system and recognise the tireless service of medical professionals, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has introduced a first-of-its-kind Policy to Honour Doctors for outstanding services, announced Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh here on Wednesday.
This institutionalised, transparent, and merit-based system will be implemented by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, with the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann will personally confer the awards at a state-level function, reflecting the state’s commitment to valuing the contribution of doctors who are the backbone of Punjab’s health services.
Highlighting the initiative during a press conference, Dr Balbir Singh said that the Government of Punjab will honour 60 doctors every year under a newly introduced policy to boost the morale and commitment of medical professionals towards their humanitarian service.
He said that the awards will span four categories, including the State Level Best Doctor Award, District Level Excellence Award, Special Recognition for Innovation or Public Health Leadership, and Special Recognition for Public Service in the Private Sector. Each awardee will receive a Certificate of Honour presented by the Chief Minister or Health Minister, Punjab, along with a permanent listing on the State Health Honour Board, which will be maintained digitally and displayed prominently in government hospitals, he added.
Dr Balbir Singh said, “Doctors are the custodians of public health and have stood as pillars of strength for the people of Punjab during every crisis—from COVID-19 to floods. This policy reflects our government’s resolve to celebrate their service and encourage them to keep leading with dedication and compassion.”
Today, around 6,000 doctors are serving across Aam Aadmi Clinics, Rural and Urban Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, Sub Divisional and District Hospitals, Government Medical Colleges, and outreach programmes, ensuring that quality healthcare reaches every corner of Punjab, including the remote populations.
The Health Minister that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has recruited a total of 934 doctors since 2022— nearly 25% of the state’s current strength of 3,831 Medical Officers and Specialists deputed at Rural and Urban Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, Sub Divisional and District Hospitals. He confirmed that the strengthening of medical services is ongoing, with an additional more doctors are expected to join the state’s health force within the next one to two months.
The Minister said that Punjab’s doctors play a pivotal role in healthcare delivery, ranging from managing OPDs, IPDs, surgeries, and emergencies to leading preventive programmes such as immunisation, maternal and child health, and disease control. In addition, doctors also actively contribute to medical research, training, and innovations that continue to strengthen and transform the state’s healthcare system, he added.
Dr Balbir Singh further informed that on the same pattern, ASHA workers, nurses and other staff in the health department working at frontline, will also be felicitated.
Meanwhile, this initiative underscores Punjab Government’s commitment to honouring the tireless contribution of doctors, motivating them to continue excelling, and building a strong, responsive, and compassionate healthcare system for the people of Punjab.
