By 121 News
Chandigarh 31st Dec:- A Health Days calendar of the year 2020 was released here today by Health and Family Welfare Minister Punjab S. Balbir Singh Sidhu. During the event Managing Director, PHSC Manvesh Singh Sidhu was also present.
S. Balbir Singh Sidhu said that all important health days, week, fortnight and month have been detailed in the calendar, which is being released for the first time by the Department. The calendar contains information about 64 International/National/State health days observed in Punjab, 4 health weeks, 2 health fortnight, 3 health months and in addition the gazetted Punjab Government holidays. The objective behind this initiative is to make people aware about health issues.
Health Minister informed that this calendar will be displayed in all government health institutions of Punjab and will also be made available to all other District level Offices like Deputy Commissioners of Punjab, Revenue Offices, DEO's etc. He instructed the health officials to make sure that these days are observed and special awareness drives are undertaken on the dedicated Health Days.
S. Balbir Singh Sidhu also reviewed the functioning of the Health Department. He said that under the Ayushman Bharat Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojna, about 40 lakh people have already been issued e-cards in Punjab and more than 1 lakh people have availed benefits of the the scheme and Rs. 101 crore has been spent on their treatment till now.
Health Minister reiterated that free medicines, free treatment and necessary tests are being provided in government hospitals of Punjab. Now, keeping in view the demand of the times and to meet the needs of the people, Government is making efforts to introduce certain high level tests/facilities in government hospitals, soon.
He also directed the authorities to make arrangements in view of cold weather in all government hospitals and take special care of maternal and child health. He added that Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Department of Health, Punjab should be thoroughly implemented to handle the mother and child healthcare. He said that SMOs should ensure daily inspection of their respective hospitals to make sure that there is no deficiency and shortage of medicines and other facilities etc.
On this occasion, Director Family Welfare Dr. Rita Bhardwaj, Director PHSC Dr. Meena Hardeep, Director (Procurement) PHSC Dr. Rajesh Sharma, OSD to Health Minster Dr. Balwinder Singh, ACEO of State Health Agency, Dr. Shweta, Director (Finance). NHM, Punjab Neeraj Singla, Program Officer IEC /Media Shivinder Singh Sehdev and other officers were present.