Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Surjit Kumar Jyani today announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of deceased pregnant women at Civil Hospital, here. The Minister said that a high level probe headed by Dr HS Bali, Director (Health), Punjab, is going on and the report would be submitted on December 6. He said that if any doctor or staff of Civil Hospital Ludhiana is found guilty, then strict action would be taken as per law.Mr Jyani said this while speaking to media persons after attending a state level function held on the occasion of World Disability Day at Braille Bhawan, Chandigarh Road, here today.While terming this incident very unfortunate, the minister said that he is keeping a close tab on the entire incident so that the inquiry is carried out in a free and fair manner. He said that till the time the final report is submitted on December 6, no person can be blamed. "Once the report is submitted, the guilty would not be spared and penal action would be taken against them," Mr Jyani said.
The Minister said that 12 medicines used in case of pregnant women in Punjab government hospitals have been banned and the health department has taken their samples. "We would send these samples for checking," the minister said. He also said that the same medicines were given to other pregnant women who are safe. "We just want to make sure about the reason of the deaths," he said.While addressing the state-level function of World Disability Day at Braille Bhawan, Mr Jyani said that Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal has taken personal interest in issues related to disabled people. He said that the old backlog has been cleared and 437 new posts have been advertised for disabled people.Jyani urged all unions to work hard for the issues related to disabled people. He said that some union leaders just cause nuisance during his functions because they are playing petty politics over serious issues. He invited all union members to come and meet him in case they have some issues. He said that holding protests would not solve any issue.
"Instead, they should come and have a proper meeting with me if they really want their issues to be resolved," he said.Later, the Health and Family Welfare Minister also attended a function organised by Director General School Education and National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped at Guru Nanak Bhawan, here today. On this occasion, Mr Surjit Kumar Jyani and Education Minister Dr Daljit Singh Cheema distributed free laptops to 144 such children. Prominent among those present on the occasion included Advisor to CM Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, former minister Hira Singh Gabria, DGSE Mr Pardeep Aggarwal, ADC (D) Mr Supreet Singh Gulati, DSSO Kulwinder Kaur, DEO (Secondary) Paramjit Kaur Chahal, DEO (Primary) Harjot Singh, besides several others.