Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today envisioned that Punjab was swiftly emerging as the hub of the best medical and healthcare institutions not only in the country but across the globe.Addressing a distinguished gathering here on the inauguration of All India Institute of Chiropractic and International Medical Massage Therapy Institute at Ranbaj Hospital, the Chief Minister said the day is not very far off when not only the people from our country but even from abroad would come here to avail the latest medical and healthcare facilities.Felicitating the Chairman Punjab Dental Council for taking a unique initiative to open these two institutes of international repute in collaboration with Canadian partners, Mr. Badal hoped that these state-of-the-art medical institutions would provide the best health services in the field of Massage and Chiropractic therapy on the scientific lines. He said that it was really a matter of pride and honour for Punjab, which has taken a lead in setting up these institutions, first of their kind in the country.The Chief Minister also hoped that both these institutions would go a long way in contributing a lot towards the skill development mission already launched by the state government as the sole objective of the mission was to encourage such institutions to impart skill development training to the youth so as to enable them to be gainfully employed.
Highlighting the significant achievements in the field of medical and health care sector, the Chief Minister said that probably Punjab was the only state in the country which was providing free treatment to the cancer patients. He said excellent infrastructure to combat the menace of cancer has already been put in place by setting up Advanced Cancer Treatment Centres in the Government Medical Colleges in Amritsar, Patiala and Faridkot besides another hi-tech cancer institute at Bathinda and PGI Satellite Hospital at Sangrur for providing the best treatment to the patients inflicted with the cancer in Malwa belt. Recently, the state government had taken another path breaking initiative to provide free treatment to the patients suffering from Hepatitis C. Similarly, Bhagat Puran Singh Health Insurance scheme covering nearly half of state’s population had already been started to provide cashless treatment covering a cross section of the society including blue card holders, farmers, traders and construction workers up to Rs.50,000/- besides insurance cover of Rs. Five lac in case of death or incapacitation of head of the family.Earlier welcoming the Chief Minister, Dr. Randeep Singh Mann apprised him that their vision was not only to educate the students but also ensure proper placement of at least 50% of students graduating from these programs all over state and other parts of the country to equip them with mandatory skills for providing best health services to the public and the rest would be motivated to take up these programs as self employment ventures to earn their livelihood in a dignified manner.
He also informed that the Ranbaj Academy of Dental Education would soon launch one year certificate program in Dental Laboratory Technology in its hi-tech dental laboratory with 20 seats to provide efficient and skilled manpower to assist the dental surgeons in the region. He said that the four year degree program in All India Institute of Chiropractic would be undertaken in collaboration with Rayat Bahra University.Speaking on the occasion Consul General of Canada, Chandigarh Mr. Christopher Gibbins said that these ventures in Chiropractic and Massage Therapy set up here with the technical support and expertise of Canadian partners would give a new dimension to the already existing excellent health infrastructure in the state.Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included; Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, Chancellor Rayat Bahra University and Chairman Rayat Bahra Group of Institutions Mr. Gurvinder Bahra, President Punjab Dental Council Dr. Randeep Singh Mann besides the Canadian partners; Chiropractor Dr. Andria Hoda, Dr. Scott Dartnall, Registered Massage Therapist and Dr. Monica Passinato Forcheilli, Registered Massage Therapist from Hamilton Ontario.