CHANDIGARH/GURDASPUR, August 31:
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, along with MLA Gurdeep Singh Randhawa, today visited the flood-affected areas of Gurdaspur district. The Minister visited relief camps set up by the district administration in villages Narhawali, Kalanor, Machrala, Pakhoke, and Dera Baba Nanak to review the health services being provided to people by the Health Department.
During the visit, Dr. Balbir Singh distributed relief materials to individuals at the camps and assured them that the Punjab Government stands firmly with them during this difficult time. He stated that the Health Department will leave no stone unturned in providing health services to people in the flood-affected areas.
Interacting with media persons, the Health Minister said he is touring the flood-affected areas of the state and that people have suffered significant losses due to the floods. He emphasized that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the entire Punjab Government is working relentlessly to help the victims in every way possible. He noted that the state government first safely evacuated people from the affected areas and that relief operations are ongoing, with essential supplies being continuously delivered to those in need. Arrangements for fodder for livestock are also being made, with significant support from social service organizations.
Dr. Balbir Singh stated that Health Department teams are working continuously in the flood-affected areas to ensure people face no health problems. He informed that special medical camps are being organized and that necessary steps have been taken to prevent the spread of diseases like Dengue, Malaria, and Diarrhoea from the floodwaters. The Minister informed that he has also requested 100 ambulances with paramedical staff from the Indian Medical Association, which will arrive soon.
Acknowledging the extensive damage to crops and houses, Dr. Balbir Singh announced that while the Punjab Government is helping the affected families in every possible way, he will personally provide financial assistance of ₹1 lakh each to one flood-affected farmer family and one labourer family. Additionally, in line with the Punjab Government’s decision, he will donate one month’s salary to aid the flood-affected people. He also appealed to NRIs and social service institutions to come forward and help the victims.
During the tour, the Health Minister also visited the Community Health Centre in Kalanaur.
Civil Surgeon Gurdaspur, Dr. Jaswinder Singh, informed the Minister that besides organizing medical camps, Health Department teams are conducting water sampling, health awareness drives, and rescuing patients in the affected villages. All necessary health services are being provided, and medicines are being given free of cost to patients.
He detailed that 3 Rapid Response Teams have been formed at the district level and 19 at the block level. For public convenience, 38 mobile medical teams are providing services in the flood-affected areas. The health department has 6 of its own ambulances and 18 from 108 service operational for the public. Teams have been provided with on-the-spot water testing kits to check the quality of drinking water immediately, and chlorination of water is being carried out by the Health Department.
The Health Minister was accompanied by his wife Mrs. Rupinderjit Saini, newly appointed Chairman of the District Planning Committee and AAP District President Joban Randhawa, Chairman Balwinder Singh Haruwal, SDM Kalanaur Jyotsana Singh, SDM Dera Baba Nanak Dr. Aditya Sharma, SDM Fatehgarh Churian Gurmandar Singh, Tehsildar Rajinder Singh, District Media Incharge Mukhdev Singh Alowal, and other officers of the Health Department.
