Punjab Health Minister reviews status of newly-constructed hospital in Raikot

As a part of his statewide tour to assess the facilities in government hospitals, Punjab’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh on Wednesday visited hospitals in Raikot and Muktsar.

Inspecting the building of a newly constructed 30-bed mother and child hospital in Raikot, the minister said the construction had already been completed and requisite equipment, beds, medicines will be provided within next few days. He said that the recruitment of doctors and paramedical staff for the three-storey hospital was also over, and they will be deputed within a few days, following which the health facility will be dedicated to the people of the city.

Balbir said the hospital had been constructed at the cost of Re 5.82 crore. The hospital will be equipped with ultra modern facilities including sections like OPD rooms, wards, feeding area, family planning, clinical laboratory, immunisation room, emergency, lifts labs, cold stores, ECG room and pharmacy rooms. He said the hospital would impart quality healthcare to pregnant women and newly-born childr The health minister was also accompanied by Raikot MLA Hakam Singh Thekedar, Punjab Health Systems Corporation MD Pradeep Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner Surabhi Malik, SDM Gurbir Singh Kohli, and Civil Surgeon Dr Hitinder Kaur, among others en of the area.

Balbir said that the health services in Punjab were undergoing rapid transformation since the formation of their government last year, mentioning the “revolutionary changes” in state’s the primary health services with the opening of 580 Aam Aadmi Clinics. He disclosed that around 31 lakh people so far had already availed the facilities in these clinics.

The recruitment process of 550 house surgeons was also completed of which 46 will be deputed in Ludhiana district, the minister added. Additionally, Balbir said, the recruitment of 2,000 more paramedical staff will also be done soon. He said the government has decided to recruit new doctors every year to fill the vacancies left by retiring doctors or those pursuing higher education, ensuring the availability of quality healthcare services for the people.

Meanwhile, the health minister also visited a civil hospital in Dr Balbir Singh early on Wednesday. MLA Jagdeep Singh Kaka Brar from Sri Muktsar Sahib accompanied the minister.