Launch drive against water-borne diseases: Health Minister to admn

Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh directed the Health Department and Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, to launch an extensive drive against water and vector-borne diseases in the aftermath of recent floods and incessant rain.

Chairing a review meeting at the District Administrative Complex, the minister stressed that preparing for possible outbreaks, especially diarrhoea, was the need of the hour.

Accompanied by MLA Balkar Singh, MLA Inderjit Kaur Mann, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Sandeep Rishi, Additional Deputy Commissioner Amaninder Kaur, Senior AAP leaders Rajwinder Kaur Thiara, Nitin Kohli, Dinesh Dhall and Principal Prem Kumar, Dr. Singh instructed officials to prioritise water testing and chlorination in both urban and rural areas to prevent disease spread. He further directed the civil authorities to drain stagnant water and ensure proper fogging across the district. A special campaign to check dengue larvae would also be launched to curb mosquito-borne illnesses.

Appealing to the public, the minister urged people to dial health helpline 104 in case of any emergency, assuring that prompt medical assistance would be provided round-the-clock. He also called upon social organisations and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to volunteer and adopt flood-affected families, terming it a noble cause in these testing times.

Dr. Singh reaffirmed the Punjab government’s commitment to public health, underlining welfare measures such as Rs. 20,000 per acre compensation for farmers with crop losses and a new policy permitting farmers along riverbanks to extract and sell sand from their own fields.

Acknowledging the role of NGOs and philanthropists, he lauded organisations, including the Indian Medical Association, Rotary Club, Divine Onkar Mission UK and philanthropist Amarjit Singh from the USA, who collectively handed over 30 cheques to support flood-hit families in Gurdaspur and Pathankot.

The Minister also pressed the Union Government to immediately release Rs. 60,000 crore due to Punjab, stressing that the funds were crucial for restoring flood-damaged infrastructure.