Punjab revamps 40 secondary healthcare institutions

In Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has embarked on an ambitious journey to reform the public healthcare sector. This initiative is in line with the party’s wider development agenda. But how well has the government really done when it comes to healthcare?

Here’s a look:
Strengthening healthcare infrastructure
Earlier this month, the Punjab cabinet gave the approval to create 1,390 additional posts of medical officers. This move, aimed at addressing the acute shortage of medical professionals, is set to enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare services across the state. Furthermore, the decision to streamline the recruitment process through the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, marks a significant shift towards efficiency and responsiveness in healthcare governance.

Additionally, the government’s focus on upgrading healthcare facilities is evident from its initiative to revamp 40 secondary healthcare institutions, including community health centres and district hospitals. This effort, spearheaded by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in June 2023, aims to fortify the backbone of the state’s healthcare system, ensuring that quality medical care is within the reach of every Punjabi citizen.

Innovative healthcare programs
A notable feature of Punjab’s healthcare overhaul is its innovative programs designed to address specific health challenges. In November 2023, the state launched a mental health intervention programme for inmates across four major jails, a pioneering step towards addressing the often-neglected issue of mental health in correctional facilities.

Along the same lines, the government’s “CM Di Yogshala” project, initiated in March 2024, underscores a holistic approach to health by promoting yoga across all districts. The deployment of 315 new yoga trainers to conduct free classes at the village and block levels is an effort towards foster a culture of wellness and preventive healthcare.

Expanding access with ‘Aam Aadmi Clinics’
The ‘Aam Aadmi Clinics’ have emerged as the flagship initiative of Punjab’s healthcare transformation. Boasting over one crore beneficiaries as of February 2024, these clinics represent a paradigm shift in healthcare delivery. Offering a wide range of free medicines and diagnostic tests, these IT-enabled clinics ensure that quality healthcare is not a privilege but a right for every resident of Punjab, regardless of their economic status. FIRSTPOST