Health Minister Punjab Surjit Kumar Jayani has asked the state deputy medical commissioners to ensure proper health infrastructure in the government health institutions so as to avoid any inconvenience to the patients.Addressing a state level meeting of the deputy medical commissioners, the Health Minister said that all the newly established health centres in the urban areas should be fully equipped and functional. He said that more and more patients should be attended in these fully functional OPDs and the services of ASHA workers should be utilized to make people aware of the upcoming health care facilities at their door steps.
Jayani also asked them to ensure the formation of Mahila Arogya Samities for women especially in slums.To ensure basic health care facilities in the urban slums, the Minister said that all the needy patients living in these habitats should derive maximum benefits of the health care facilities initiated by the government for such sections. Outreach camps in the presence of specialist doctors should be frequently organized in these areas, he said.He also announced opening of Urban Primary Health centres in slums as per requirement. For provision of land for these centres, he said that local MLAs, elected representatives, mayors, president municipal councils and other significant people could be consulted on land allotment issues. He also said that the small improvised health centres could be opened where there was no land available. If still the problem persists then he should be immediately informed so that some corrective measures could be taken in the larger public interest.
Speaking on the occasion, Principal Secretary Health Ms. Vini Mahajan said that the state government was already in the process of filling up the vacancies. ANMs would also be appointed for the special kiosk to be set up in slums so that proper guidance could be given to people. The Health department was also taking steps with the help of Labour department to ensure clinical examinations to the labour class. Ms. Mahajan also asked all the officers to ensure regular monitoring of urban health centres. She said that all the basic clinical examinations and test be done in these health centres.Secretary Health and National Health Mission Director, Mr. Hussan Lal said that there was no shortage of medicines in these health centres. Adequate stock was lying in the Medicine warehouses. He said that all the outreach camps organized in slums cater to the health needs of the migratory labour, daily wagers and the people living in slums. Visits of Skin specialists, gynecologists and pediatricians would also be arranged in these areas, he added.Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Director health, Dr. Bhagmal, Director health welfare Dr. H.S.Bali, Director National Health Mission Dr. Shashi Kant and all the programme officers.