A sharp downfall of 53% has been registered in the rate of readmission of patients after the launch of ambitious Care Campaign Programme across the state. It was stated by Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu, Health and Family Welfare Minister in a press communiqué released here today.Mr. Sidhu said that it is matter of proud for Punjab for being the first state in the country which has successfully launched the Care Campaign Programme in all medical and surgical care units in district hospitals across the state for Medical & Surgical in-patient care. He said that through this programme, relatives of medical and surgical patients would be trained on how to care for their loved ones while still in hospitals, so that patients have smoother transitions and better outcomes at home. This would result in better practice of healthy behaviors such as healthy diet, exercise, hygiene and is aimed at decreasing post-discharge complications. Revealing the data of readmission of the patients who were covered under Care Campaign Programme, Mr. Sidhu said that as per the available statistics the rate of readmission is down by 53% whereas 11% decrease has been registered in the health risk problems during treatment.
Similarly the usage of health services has increased by 29% on the other hand 77% more information and instructions are being given to patients and their family members by the hospital staff. The Minister said that relationship between the health workers and patients has become more cordial through Care Campaign Programme. The Health Minister said that till now more than 65 thousand families have been imparted training under this programme. He said that the program has shown impressive results, including an increase in the number of families practicing correct health behaviors at home and a decrease in severe complications after a medical treatment. He said that due to its success, this simple yet powerful program is being expanded to other areas of patient care. He said that they have decided to expand the program across all medical and surgical care units in district hospitals across the state. He said that being the pioneering state in the country for this type of initiative, Punjab is showing how a simple program that engages families in their own health can improve the health outcomes of patients across the state. He said that the flagship program was launched in July, 27, 2017 in the area of Maternal Child Health (MCH) in six districts of the state. After a successful pilot, the MCH program was expanded in September 27, 2018 across all the districts of the state.