Punjab launches national urban health mission

Ludhiana, November 21, 2014: The Punjab government would be starting 93 new Primary Health Centres (PHC's) and 13 new Community Health Centres(CHC's) in the state where world class facilities would be provided world classhealth facilities. This was informed by Health Minister Surjeet Kumar Jayani while formally launching the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) here today. He said six CHC's would be built in Ludhiana city next year and the entire project will cover 41 cities, including Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar.

The health minister said that an amount of Rs 101 crore would be spent in the state under the NUHM. He said that old hospitals would be modernised under this plan.

The minister also inaugurated an Urban Kiosk in Sanjay Gandhi Colony near Sector 32, Chandigarh Road, where the residents of slum areas can get treatment round the clock. A PHC at Bhagwan Nagar near Dholewal was also inaugurated by the minister.

While speaking to media persons here today Health Minister Surjeet Kumar Jayani said that all cities with a population of50,000 and above would be covered under the centrally sponsored scheme which was aimed at providing affordable quality health services to urban population with a special emphasis on urban poor and vulnerable population.

Adding further the Minister said that with the launch of NUHM, 78.83 lakh population (76% of total urban population) of the state including 35.96 lakh slum population and other vulnerable groups like rag pickers, rickshaw pullers, homeless and street children would derive the benefit across the state.

Giving further details the Minister said that for slums with a population of around 1,500 to 2,000 people, one ASHA worker will be deputed; for every 10,000 people in cities, one Auxiliary Nurse Midwife(ANM) will be appointed. Furthermore, a primary health centre (PHC) will be setup to cater to every 50,000 people and a community health centre (CHC) will be set up for every 2.50 lakh persons in cities.

He said that the state government is all set to tackle EBOLA. He said that special health teams have been stationed at all airports and railway stations of the state. He said that negotiations are also going on with private companies for the maintaining cleanliness in government hospitals.

 Jayani also urged the people to take full use of helpline number 104. He said that at this helpline number, residents can give suggestions, submit complaints and get details about health department and its services.

He said that under the anti drug campaign of the state government, 3.91 lakh people have taken medication from government hospitals, while 22,000 people have shunned drugs and around 200 patients are presently undergoing treatment at different government hospitals of the state.He said that by March 2015, 18 rehabilitation centres would be set up in thes tate.

While speaking to media persons, Jayani said that the directorate of Food and Drugs wing is being separated for effective working.

Surjeet Kumar Jayani was accompanied by Vini Mahajan, Principal Secretary, Health and Finance, Hussan Lal, secretary Health cum Mission Director, National Health Mission, Dr Karanjit Singh, director health, Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria besides several other officers.

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