The strenuous task initiated by the state government with the view to ensure world-class ultra modern health care infrastructure in the state, would soon make Punjab a credible and much preferred health care destination particularly for the Cancer treatment not only for its own people but also for the patients from abroad. Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal expressed these views today, while addressing a galaxy of Medical professionals from across the state during PIMACON-2013, an annual conference of Indian Medical Association (IMA) organized by its Punjab unit here.Expressing firm commitment of SAD-BJP government to provide best health care facilities at the doorsteps of the people especially in the far-flung areas of the state, Mr. Badal said that their government from the day-one had given much needed priority to the health sector by not only upgrading the existing health infrastructure but also established many new Hospitals, Sub-hospitals and Health care Centres at various pisional, sub-pisional and block levels besides strengthening these both in terms of equipment as wall as staff vice. nearly Rs. 350 crore had been spent during last tenure on the upgradation of the government health care institutions and presently these all were providing quality treatment to the patients at affordable rates, added Mr. Badal.
To provide health care services at the doorsteps of the people, state government had organized Mega Medical camps across the state and on the spot treatment of all ailments had been provided along with free medicines. Expressing great concern over the drug abuse and cancer, Mr. Badal said that a statewide crusade had been launched to curb the menace of deadly disease of cancer through conducting door-to-door surveys across the state for its early detection and timely treatment besides making all out efforts to eliminate drug-addiction from the state especially weaning our youth away from the scourge of Drug addiction.
The State government had also initiated a plan for creating new Cancer hospitals and Drug de-addiction centers. Likewise, a Cancer and Drug de-addiction Treatment Fund for stamping out these both had also been created, said the Chief Minister. Five State-of-the-art 50-bedded Drug De-addiction Centers with an outlay of Rs. 25 crore at Bathinda, Faridkot, Patiala, Jalandhar and Amritsar would be made functional soon. Regarding Cancer treatment, Mr. Badal informed that a world-class Cancer Hospital on the lines of Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai was being set up at Mullanpur near Chandigarh for which the state government has already given 50 acres of its prime land. Mr. Badal also informed that the Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh would lay the foundation stone of this prestigious hospital on December 30. He further said that all the three Government Medical Colleges at Amristar, Patiala and Faridkot were also being upgraded to ensure the best Cancer treatment, besides a 100 bedded advanced Cancer Centre was coming up at Bathinda. Likewise, Cancer Care facility in District Hospital Sangrur was also being established in collaboration with TMC, Mumbai.
The Chief Minister said that to help the cancer Patients the state Government was provieding financial aid of Rs. 1.50 lakh each to the cancer patient under its ‘Mukh Mantri Punjab Cancer Raahat Kosh’ Scheme as a humble effort to help these patients.Appreciating the rich participation of renowned Doctors and experts of medical field from all over the state in this prestigious conference of IMA, Mr. Badal said the deliberations would go a long way in sharing the expert views and experiences over the latest scientific developments to update everyone’s knowledge. The Chief Minister also called upon the medical fraternity in private hospitals to play a pro-active role for providing free medical treatment to the poor and need patient inline with the state government and render valuable services to the ailing people with full dedication and devotion. IMA that had worked commendably in providing relief to the victims of natural calamities like earthquakes, droughts and floods, famines and epidemics in the pre and post-Independence periods could again play an active role in shaping the destiny of the state in the health sector, said Mr. Badal.Later, speaking for the first time to the media on the demands put froth by S. Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa who had been on the indefinite fast, Mr. Badal said that although the issue did fell outside the jurisdiction of the state government of Punjab even than the state government was serious to resolve the issue from the day one. Mr. Badal said that he had also called up all the three Chief Ministers of Uttar Pardesh, Gujrat and Karnataka for the early release of the prisoners. Responding positively the Chief Ministers had initiated the legal formalities for sending the cases to the respective Governors, said Mr. Badal.
Appreciating the benevolent gesture shown by the family of Late S. Beant Singh for agreeing the release of the prisoners from Burial Jail which is under the jurisdiction of Chandigarh (UT), Mr. Badal said that Punjab had paid a very heavy price in the past to prevail the atmosphere of peace and communal harmony in the state. He appealed the people, "Nothing should be done to disturb this heard earned peace and communal harmony and everyone must be morally committed to sustain the democratic values and prosperity of the state".
On the occasion Mr. Badal also released a Souvenir and presented IMA Awards to the Doctors for rendering out standing services in the Medical profession. The two Life Time Achievement awards were bestowed upon Dr. Amrik Singh Arora of Amritsar and Dr. (Mrs.) Malti Thaper of Moga, whereas Dr. Gurinder Singh Grewal was awarded for his outstanding efforts for bringing Ultra Sound for the first time in Northern India. The Hoshiarpur IMA Branch has won the first best Branch award and Patiala branch follows. Prominent amongst those spoke on the occasion included Advisor to CM, Mr. Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Mayor MC Ludhiana Mr. Harcharan Singh Gohlwaria, President IMA Punjab Dr. Manoj Kumar Sobti and Secretary IMA (Pb.) Mr Sunit Jindal.