Dengue situation under control in state: Minister

Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh on Friday said the dengue situation across the state was firmly under control despite heavy monsoon rains this season.

Following a thorough review of the dengue scenario and overall health services in Ludhiana, the minister emphasised that coordinated anti-dengue efforts between the Health Department and district administrations had proven effective. He assured that cases would decrease further in coming days.

Dr Singh said he personally monitors every dengue case. Teams from the state headquarters were directly contacting patients to confirm that fogging and larval checks had been conducted in their homes and neighbourhoods. A robust ground force of 20,000 ASHA workers and 36,000 nursing students had been deployed for door-to-door larval inspections.

On the healthcare front, Dr Singh announced that 1,000 doctors and staff were being recruited at a record pace, retired specialists were being empanelled to fill critical gaps and the remaining 20 per cent staff shortage would be addressed soon.

Additionally, the state was empowering over 20 lakh school students with vital life skills, including identifying and destroying dengue breeding sites and managing nosebleeds and snakebites, he said.

The minister added that the Mukhmantri Sehat Yojna under which Rs 10 lakh cashless insurance would be given to residents was also likely to be implemented before December 31.