Patiala, September 28:
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh today visited the Sub-Divisional Hospital, Nabha, to review the dengue cases reported from certain areas. During the visit, he inspected the dengue ward and interacted with patients. MLA Nabha Gurdev Singh Dev Mann was also present on the occasion.
After reviewing hospital arrangements, Dr. Balbir Singh visited Baura Gate, a designated dengue hotspot in Nabha. There, he appealed to residents to exercise caution and ensure that water does not stagnate in flower pots, refrigerator trays, coolers, tyres, or any other containers. He added that standing water sources should be cleaned and dried at least once a week to prevent the breeding of dengue mosquitoes.
The Minister said that dengue spreads rapidly during post-monsoon seasonal conditions and that testing facilities have been expanded for timely detection. Dengue tests are now being conducted at Aam Aadmi Clinics across the state. He informed that he personally reviews the dengue situation twice a day. Joint teams of the Health Department, local bodies, and Executive Officers are conducting household inspections to check for mosquito larvae. He added that in Punjab there are 65 lakh households, and health teams have already conducted 94 lakh home visits, with multiple rounds in hotspot areas. Anti-larva spraying has been intensified, and Panchayats have been provided pumps for preventive measures. Dr. Balbir Singh also directed urban local bodies to intensify fogging in high-risk areas to further control the spread of dengue.
Dr. Balbir Singh highlighted that the Health Department has been working round the clock for the past one and a half months to contain the outbreak. In response to questions from journalists, he said that to further strengthen healthcare services, nearly 500 new doctors have recently joined government service, including 33 in Patiala district. Recruitment of 500 nurses is ongoing, and another advertisement for 500 more nurses will be issued in November. He added that DNB courses in Gynecology, Medicine, and Anesthesia are being introduced at 23 district hospitals and 41 sub-divisional hospitals, which will help improve medical education and healthcare services.
On this occasion, Nabha MLA Gurdev Singh Dev Mann, SDM Nabha Dr. Ishmit Vijay Singh, Civil Surgeon Dr. Jagpalinder Singh, SMO Dr. Veenu Goyal, and Dr. Sumeet Singh were also present.
