Punjab Health Minister Orders Uninterrupted Oxygen and Power Backup in Critical Care Units at Government Health Facilities
— No Patient Should Be Denied Essential Medicines; Government Maintains Sufficient Stock of 368 Drugs: Dr. Balbir Singh
— OPD Patients to Receive Treatment Within an Hour of Registration: Health Minister
Chandigarh, July 29,
In a firm step to bolster Punjab’s healthcare system in line with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s vision, Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh issued strict instructions on Tuesday to ensure continuous oxygen supply and power backup in all critical care units, including ICUs, Operation Theatres (OTs), and emergency wards across state-run health facilities.
During a high-level meeting with Civil Surgeons from all districts, Dr. Balbir Singh stressed the importance of round-the-clock oxygen availability, functional UPS systems, and fully operational generators to avoid any interruption in life-saving treatments.
The Health Minister also laid down strict guidelines on medicine supply, directing Civil Surgeons to maintain a one-month buffer stock of all 368 essential medicines and cautioning against any shortages. “No patient should be referred to purchase medicines outside the hospital,” he asserted, reaffirming the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government’s pledge to provide free and accessible healthcare.
He further noted that Senior Medical Officers (SMOs) are authorized to procure non-essential medicines as needed, with stern disciplinary action promised for any non-compliant officer. To improve medicine distribution and patient satisfaction, Civil Surgeons and SMOs were instructed to visit OPDs daily and gather patient feedback.
To enhance patient care, Dr. Balbir Singh mandated that Outpatient Department (OPD) services be provided within an hour of registration.
In a move to strengthen critical care, Dr. Balbir Singh announced mandatory training in critical care and advanced life support for all doctors and paramedics, including staff nurses. He also directed each Civil Surgeon to submit a report comparing their district’s health status with Millennium Development Goals to set future targets for improvement.
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The Health Minister urged Civil Surgeons to use the department’s Mass Education and Media wing to raise awareness about the “Farishtey” scheme and the availability of Anti-Retroviral (ARV) drugs at Aam Aadmi Clinics statewide.
Additionally, Dr. Balbir Singh revealed that approximately one thousand new doctors will join in the coming months as the recruitment process nears completion, significantly boosting healthcare quality.
Present at the meeting were Chairman PHSC Raman Behl, Principal Secretary Health Kumar Rahul, Member Punjab Development Commission Anurag Kundu, Special Secretary Health-cum-MD NHM Ghanshyam Thori, MD PHSC Amit Talwar, Director Health and Family Welfare Dr. Hitinder Kaur, Director Family Welfare Dr. Jasminder, Director ESI Dr. Jaspreet Kaur, Director PHSC Dr. Anil Goyal, Director (Procurement) PHSC Dr. Pawanpreet Kaur, and Deputy Directors.
