IEP CHANDIGARH, August 12
With the Aam Aadmi Clinics started by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led state government to transform Punjab into a healthy and disease-free state has almost completed one year, over 44 lakh patients have benefitted from these clinics and over 20 lakhs of patients have undergone free tests in less than one year, said Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh here on Saturday. Pertinently, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had dedicated 75 Aam Aadmi Clinics to the people of the state to mark the 75th Independence Day last year, which has now increased 583 Aam Aadmi Clinics in the state. Out of these 583 AACs, 180 AACs are located in the urban areas while 403 are located in the rural areas of the State. Dr Balbir Singh, while addressing the press conference at Punjab Bhawan here, said that the humble effort to impart quality Health services has received good feedback and positive response from the people of the state. “Following the success of Aam Aadmi Clinics, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will dedicate another 76 Aam Aadmi Clinics to the people of the state on August 14, 2023, to mark the 76th Independence Day, taking the total number of operational Aam Aadmi clinics to 659,” he said. He informed that as many as 80 types of medicines and 38 diagnostics tests are available for the patients at Aam Aadmi Clinics free of cost. More than 20 lakh free tests and medicines of approximately Rs 30.25 crore have been provided to the patients during the last one year, he added. He said that each clinic has a Medical Officer, Pharmacist, Clinic Assistant and Class IV/Helper, while, all the clinics are IT based with the provision of three Tablets at each clinic for Medical Officer, Pharmacist and Clinic Assistant. Patient registration, prescription and dispensation of medicines are being done through these tablets only, he said. Recounting the other significant achievements in the health sector, the Health Minister said that the state government has appointed 300 House Surgeons to strengthen the emergency services at District and Sub-Divisional Hospitals, while, 200 Post PG Students have been bonded by the Department of Medical Research & Education to serve as contractual Medical Officers with State Health Department. This initiative intended to ensure the availability of Specialist services at Secondary Health facilities, he said. He said that to overcome the shortage of specialist doctors at various District Hospitals of Punjab, a total of 85 Diplomate of National Board (DNB) seats have been approved in the 14 districts. Dr Balbir Singh said that the Punjab Government is all set to upgrade as many as 40 hospitals or Secondary Healthcare Facilities in the state. All the buildings will be constructed and equipped with ultra-modern facilities according to the need and the required strength of doctors and staff will be ensured at all the government hospitals in the state. He said that the Punjab Government has also been focusing on the strengthening of tertiary care services in the state and a Trauma Centre worth Rs 233 crores is being established in Patiala, while, advanced healthcare facilities including PET CT Scan and Nuclear department being started in Amritsar. The Health Minister said that by commencing ‘CM Di Yogshalas’ in the state, the Punjab Government has started a remarkable initiative which is focused on prevention of the disease and promotion of health. He said that, presently, over 7000 people taking benefit of ‘CM di Yogshala’ at 281 yoga camps being organised daily in the state and now, the camps will be increased to 1000, which will cater over 25000 people. He said that the ‘Har Shukarvar, Dengue Te War’ campaign started by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has also been getting good response from the public. Meanwhile, the Health Minister said that the Punjab Government is all set to commence yet another unique initiative under which the health teams will check Blood Pressure, Sugar, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Basic Metabolic Rate of all the 3 crore Punjabis for early detection of disease. Around 1 lakh people will be diagnosed under the pilot project, which will be started from Patiala.
