Jalandhar, October 25, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh today said that the state has witnessed around 70% reduction in dengue cases this season, attributing the success to the state’s intensified anti-dengue campaign.
Addressing students at School of Eminence in Bhargav Camp, Dr. Singh underscored the impact of the ongoing “Har Shukarvaar Dengue Teh Vaar” drive, a weekly awareness campaign launched by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. The Minister, joined by Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal, highlighted the overwhelming support from residents and various departments in the fight against dengue.
He stated that the comprehensive strategy, encompassing efforts from ASHA workers to senior officials, has contributed to an extraordinary outcome: only one death reported due to dengue so far. “On Fridays, officials across ranks visit communities, spreading awareness on vector-borne diseases,” Dr. Singh noted.
He further announced plans to train Punjab’s 20 lakh students in dengue prevention and other life-saving skills, ensuring that every 12th-grade passout and graduate will be equipped with essential first aid knowledge and non-communicable disease prevention skills.
Dr. Balbir Singh also praised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s transformative work in Punjab’s healthcare sector, revealing that over 1.25 crore patients have benefited from the state’s 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics, significantly improving health indicators. Ongoing infrastructure upgrades, including modernizing district hospitals and recruiting 400 doctors after lifting of model code of conduct, reflect Punjab’s commitment to bolstering healthcare access and emergency response.
He said that these revolutionary steps aimed at making Punjab a leading state in healthcare sector. The Minister noted that the Sadak Surakhiya Force, dedicated to rapid accident response, has helped reduce road fatalities by 50%.
During the visit, Dr. Singh inspected several homes for dengue larvae and urged residents to participate in the weekly anti-dengue drive by cleaning storage tanks and preventing water stagnation near their homes. He called on the public to support Punjab’s proactive health initiatives for a safer, healthier state.
