With the vision of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann to build a Rangla Punjab, the Health and Family Welfare Department has intensified efforts to create a drug-free and healthy society. Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh is personally visiting all districts to strengthen de-addiction infrastructure and to enhance the department’s preparedness against seasonal and other diseases.
During his visit to Fazilka, Dr. Singh announced that the government will provide free treatment to drug-affected individuals, while strict legal action will be taken against drug traffickers, who should be prepared for imprisonment. He stressed that only a drug-free and healthy society can form the foundation of Punjab’s progress.
With an increase in the number of patients seeking help at de-addiction centers due to disrupted drug supply chains by Police, the government is expanding capacity across the state. Punjab will see an addition of 5,000 new beds in de-addiction centers, including 230 additional beds in Fazilka, over the existing 110 in district.
Rehabilitation efforts will also be strengthened. Fazilka’s rehabilitation center capacity will be increased from 50 to 75. Recovered youth will receive vocational training through government ITIs and Krishi Vigyan Kendras, along with counseling, yoga classes, and sports activities at Rehabilitation centers to help them reintegrate into society.
To prevent the rising drug menace, awareness activities will be intensified in schools. The state is also investing in rural infrastructure, including sports grounds, gyms, and parks, to steer youth away from drugs.
Dr. Singh directed officials from various departments to take immediate preventive measures against vector-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and malaria. These include regular cleaning of water tanks in schools, fogging drives, and releasing gambusia fish in village ponds to control mosquito larvae.
The "Dengue Te Vaar" campaign will be strengthened every Friday, with increased water sampling for disease control. The Health Minister announced special training for BSc Nursing students to assist in ICU services and proposed skill and management training for doctors at IIM Ahmedabad. School students will also be made aware of dengue larvae identification.
Addressing the media, Dr. Singh said the Punjab government is the first in the state’s history to offer free healthcare up to ₹10 lakhs under the Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme. The visit was marked by a warm welcome from local MLAs Narinder Pal Singh Sawna and Jagdeep Kamboj, Deputy Commissioner Amarpreet Kaur Sandhu and SSP Varinder Singh Brar
Box Item
Key announcements:
• CT Scan facility will soon be available at Abohar Sub-Divisional Hospital.
• Strict action will be taken if medicines from de-addiction centers are resold. Offenders will lose all government facilities.
• Ban on energy drinks in school canteens. Parents are urged not to provide such drinks to children.
• Enhanced monitoring of food and water quality. A mobile food safety van will visit three days in district, offering testing for just ₹50.
• The visit was marked by a warm welcome from local MLAs Narinder Pal Singh Sawna and Jagdeep Kamboj, Deputy Commissioner Amarpreet Kaur Sandhu and SSP Varinder Singh Brar