Punjab Health Minister demands Rs 780 cr interim relief package to rebuild medical infra ravaged by floods

Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh has said that the recent floods have completely ravaged the medical infrastructure in the bordering districts of the state, causing a loss running into crores of rupees.

The minister has sought an interim release of funds of Rs 780 crore to bring the crippling situation of medical infrastructure back on track.

Speaking on the sideline of a fund-raising programme where he received a cheque for Rs 11 lakh from members of Rajindra Gymkhana and Mahindra Club to aid flood-affected families, the minister said the recent floods had caused extensive damage not only to the agricultural sector, but also the medical infrastructure.

Singh requested the Union Health Minister to release Rs 780 crore to provide medical services to people in the flood-affected areas and rebuild the damaged medical infrastructure.

He said that medicines worth Rs 130 crore had been destroyed, 1,280 dispensaries and health and wellness centres severely damaged and 101 community health centres and 31 sub-divisional hospitals impacted.

“The backbone of Punjab’s rural and urban healthcare has been broken. Not only buildings, the loss of life-saving equipment, essential medicines and the facilities where lakhs of Punjabis seek care have been damaged. We welcome the Prime Minister’s visit, but we need more than solidarity. We need substantial support. We urgently require central assistance of at least Rs 20,000 crore to rebuild the vital infrastructure and comprehensive state recovery,” said Dr Balbir Singh.

He said that Mobile health camps, veterinary services, food distribution and rehabilitation packages are being implemented in the affected regions to minimise the suffering of the people. He assured that the state government will leave no stone unturned to restore normalcy, protect livelihoods, and rebuild the affected communities with resilience.