Chandigarh, August 20, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh and Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar today asserted, Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led state government is committed to reducing road accident mortality rate and providing treatment during the crucial golden hours to save lives in the state, adding that ‘Farishtey Scheme’, ‘Sadak Surakhiya Force’ and the new addition of a fleet of ambulances to the Health Department are the significant steps taken in this direction.
Addressing gathering during one-day workshop on “Emergency Care and Schemes for road accident victims in Punjab” organized by the Lead Agency on Road Safety “Punjab Road Safety Council” at MGSIPA, both the Cabinet Ministers said that the Punjab government has been working intensively to reduce death mortality rate in road accidents by 50 percent by 2025 and making every possible effort to achieve this goal.
They asked the administrative officials of all districts to treat saving lives of road accident victims as a mission. If a needy victim or kin of any deceased person receives financial assistance under various government schemes, it can help the affected family become economically stronger to sustain their life, they added.
Dr. Balbir Singh said that after the formation of the Sadak Surakhiya Force, the mortality rate in the state has decreased by 45 percent compared to the previous year. Referring to the Farishtey Scheme, he called upon state residents to come forward in large numbers to save the lives of road accident victims.
The Cabinet Minister said that over 500 government and private hospitals are empanelled under the Farishtey Scheme, where complete treatment for road accident victims is being provided free of cost.
He asked officials to increase awareness about this Farishtay Scheme and involve NGOs. Advocating for implementation of road safety rules from the home, the Health Minister directed officials to ensure that all government vehicles are equipped with first-aid kits.
He asked the Director General, Punjab State Road Safety Council and ADGP, Punjab Traffic Police to compile separate data on mortality caused by vehicles in road accidents, hit-and-run cases and stray animals across the state.
This data will help formulate the further strategy to reduce the mortality rate, he added. He also suggested ensuring periodic training for the Sadak Surakhiya Force.
During the event, Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh termed the rape and murder case in Kolkata as shameful and heart-wrenching, stating that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government is committed to ensuring the safety of all doctors, especially female healthcare staff. All participants observed two minutes silence to pay tributes to the victim.
While addressing the gathering, Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar said that following the Punjab government’s initiatives for road safety, such as implementing the Farishtey Scheme, establishing a Sadak Surakhiya Force and providing high-tech ambulances and patrolling vehicles, we should now progress from discussing “Golden Hours” to “Platinum Times.”
The Transport Minister said that regional officials should persistently update higher authorities about challenges faced at the grassroots level. This would enable the provision of essential equipment and other resources to address these issues effectively.
Studies have consistently shown that the majority of road accident fatalities involve young individuals, said the Transport Minister, stressing to enforce traffic regulations rigorously to reduce the loss of life in road accidents. He concluded by stating that through our collaborative efforts, we can save hundreds of lives.
During his address, Director General, Lead Agency Mr. R. Venkat Ratnam stated that improving emergency care, ambulance systems and trauma care could reduce road accident mortality rate by up to 30 percent. He urged district officials to forward cases of Good Samaritans to the
Lead Agency on Road Safety “Punjab Road Safety Council” so that the government can bestow appropriate recognition and honour upon them.
ADGP (Traffic) Mr. A.S. Rai and Punjab Health Systems Corporation Managing Director Mr. Varinder Sharma called upon district police personnel and officials to work diligently in this direction.
Presentations on issues such as “Essentials of Emergency Care” by a team of doctors from PGI, “Implementation of Farishtay Scheme in Punjab” by State Health Authority, “Implementation of the Compensation of Hit & Run Motor Accident Scheme” by Ms. Smriti Dhir, Additional Member Secretary, Punjab State Legal Services Authority, “Transfer of Compensation under Hit & Run Scheme” by Mrs. Madhulika Bhaskar, Deputy Secretary, General Insurance Council, Mumbai were given during the workshop.
During the event, Posters providing information about road safety rules were released and first aid kits and posters were also distributed to the participants.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the workshop included Additional State Transport Commissioner Mrs. Harjot Kaur, district administration officers, SDMs, Member Secretaries of District Legal Services Authority, District Traffic Police Officers, Health Department officers, Transport officers, Secretaries of District Red Cross Societies, In-charges of Highway patrol vehicles from Sadak Surakhiya Force and representatives of NGOs.
