TIME TO RISE ABOVE PARTY LINES: DR BALBIR SINGH APPEALS FOR COLLECTIVE VOICE TO SECURE PUNJAB’S SHARE FROM CENTRE
— Over 4,740 Health Camps Treat 25,000+ Patients; No Major Disease Outbreaks Reported: Dr Balbir Singh
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CHANDIGARH, September 29:
         Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Wednesday informed the Vidhan Sabha that a proactive and pre-emptive health strategy successfully averted any major disease outbreaks in the state’s flood-affected areas, while calling for all parties to unite and secure Punjab’s rightful assistance from the Central Government.
         Detailing the government’s response, Dr Balbir Singh stated that following the 2023 floods, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had constituted a high-level committee to ensure advance preparations. This year, this preparedness was operationalised through 818 dedicated teams—comprising 458 Rapid Response Teams and 360 Mobile Medical Teams—which were activated from the very first day of the floods.
         The Minister, who personally visited all seven flood-affected districts over the past month, shared that a robust medical shield was established across the villages. So far, 4,740 health camps have been organised, providing treatment and medicines to approximately 2.5 lakh people, he said, while adding that over 25,000 patients suffering from flood-related ailments like skin infections, fever, and diarrhoea were successfully treated.
         “In the face of this calamity, our health teams, including ASHA workers, have worked tirelessly. I am proud to report that even in these challenging circumstances, many safe deliveries were conducted in the flood-affected areas,” Dr Balbir Singh said. He further added that comprehensive spray and fumigation drives have been completed across all flood-affected zones to break the disease transmission cycle.
         Rising above party lines, the Health Minister made a fervent appeal to all members of the house. “This is not the time for politics. This is the time to stand with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and raise a collective voice to get our right from the Central Government to save Punjab and Punjabis,” he asserted, emphasising the need for solidarity to ensure the state receives the necessary support for recovery and rebuilding.
         The Minister credited the success in managing the health crisis to the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s anticipatory approach, which emphasised prevention and swift action.
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