JALANDHAR
In a major relief to poor people who cannot afford expensive treatment of cardio and neuro-related diseases at private hospitals, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Sunday said that the Punjab Government would soon introduce services of cardiac and neuro surgeries in district hospitals.
Speaking on the sidelines of a conference organized by the Association of Healthcare Providers of India, The Health Minister said that as per directions of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to provide super specialty services in government hospitals, critical care units would be established by the government where state-of-the-art facilities like Cardiology, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedics, ICU, trauma services will be provided. He said that these critical care units would be linked with government medical colleges thus making secondary and tertiary healthcare in common people’s reach and such people will not have to spend their savings on treatment.
Dr Singh also announced to start Farishte scheme in the state next month to provide all necessary medical services to accident victims free of cost for the first 24 hours after mishaps. He said emergency and ambulance services would also be strengthened to save the patient’s life within the first hour of an accident, which is the ‘golden hour’. He said they Punjab Government would give Rs 2,000 as an honorarium to those who bring and get the victim admitted to the hospitals.
The Minister also stated that around 50 lakh people had availed treatment in 664 Aam Aadmi Clinics opened by the Government at their doorsteps reducing the load on the district hospitals. These ultra-modern clinics have been offering 38 types of clinical tests for free and 94 different medicines to patients without any cost.
Dr Singh also appreciated the Association of Healthcare Providers of India for holding a conference on World Patient Safety Day.