DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Terming Aam Aadmi Clinics (AACs) as a gamechanger in imparting primary healthcare facilities to the people of Punjab, Punjab Health and Family Welfare, Medical Education and Research Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Thursday said that after the success of these clinics Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is now focusing to further strengthening the Tertiary and Secondary level healthcare facilities in Punjab.

Addressing the 6th Edition of CII Northern Region Healthcare Summit in Gurugram, Punjab Health Minister said that so far as many as 1.79 crore citizens have availed treatment or OPD services at 842 Aam Aadmi Clinics, established by the Punjab Government.

"We have digitised Primary healthcare sector in Punjab. We get data relating to water borne and communicable diseases even from far flung rural areas without any delay with the advancement of IT implementations that helps us in regular monitoring and taking appropriate steps. Now we are chalking out for further strengthening the Tertiary and secondary health services," he added.

The Punjab Health Minister said that the Farishtey scheme and Sadak Surakhiya Force (SSF) recently launched by the Punjab Government has been playing a pivotal role in saving valuable lives of the people injured in Road accidents. Punjab state has witnessed at least 26 per cent decrease in road accident deaths, he added. He also gave a clarion call to the private and corporate healthcare professionals to spare some time from their busy schedules to provide free of cost medical services to the people in dire need of healthcare services. He also emphasised for everyone's contribution to save the environment as we can't imagine healthy society in absence of healthy environment.
(editor@dailyworld.in)