Vikram Ditya Sharma/Ferozepur
State Special Secretary Health-cum-Managing Director, National Health Mission, Ghanshyam Thori today visited the flood-affected areas of this border district to review the medical services being extended to the people.
During his visit to a medical camp set up at village Jallo Ke, Thori interacted with the flood victims and inspected the health facilities arranged for them. He said that the Health Department has already supplied essential medicines, chlorine tablets, and ORS to the affected population. However, he directed officials to ensure that mobile medical teams once again reach every flood-hit village to conduct health check-ups and provide necessary medicines so that no one remains deprived of treatment. He emphasized that special attention is being given to the safe deliveries of pregnant women.
Thori said that the district administration and the health department are fully geared up to meet the situation. He informed that funds have already been released by the Punjab Government for medicines and other health facilities for the flood victims. “The Punjab Government stands firmly with its people in this hour of crisis,” he said. Sharing details, he added that around 400 medical camps have been organized so far where over 8,700 patients have been examined and given medicines. F
our mobile medical teams have been stationed at the district headquarters, while 60 medical teams are actively reaching flood-affected villages. In addition, 10 reserve mobile teams have been constituted. He informed that 12,000 chlorine tablets have been distributed, with 23,000 more in stock, while 27 ambulances are available in the district. Anti-larval spray is also being carried out in the affected areas, and health teams are available round the clock.
Earlier, the Special Secretary held a review meeting with DC Deep Shikha Sharma and senior health officials at the District Administrative Complex. He issued directions to further strengthen healthcare delivery in flood-hit villages. DC Sharma apprised him that with the support of the Army, BSF, NDRF, and Punjab Police, relief and rescue operations are being carried out on a war footing. She said that more than 100 villages along the Sutlej have been affected by floods. Eight relief camps have been set up in the district, providing not only food but also mattresses, dry rations, biscuits, milk for children, and medical assistance.
Civil Surgeon Dr. Rajwinder Kaur presented a report on the health department’s initiatives, including the setting up of a control room, medical camps, mobile teams, ambulance services, and boat ambulances. She informed that nursing students from private colleges have been inducted into rapid response teams, while the Medical Association, Chemist Association, and Joint Association of Independent Medical and Laboratory have also assured maximum support.
Among those present were Additional Deputy Commissioner (G) Damanjit Singh Mann, Assistant Commissioner (G) Gurdev Singh Dhamm, Ms. Lindiya, IAS (UT), Simranjit Singh, PCS (Under Training), Assistant Civil Surgeon Sushma Thakkar, besides senior officers of the health and other departments.