Chandigarh/Sangrur (Longowal), 05 May
A New Era of Healthcare in Punjab
The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is ushering in a healthcare revolution by bringing super-specialty medical facilities to rural areas. On May 4, 2025, Cabinet Minister Aman Arora laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art 30-bed Community Health Centre (CHC) in Longowal, Sangrur district. This Rs11-crore project marks a significant milestone in strengthening Punjab’s healthcare infrastructure, aiming to serve approximately 1.92 lakh people at the block level while adhering to Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS).
The ceremony was attended by local dignitaries, including sarpanchs, panchs from over a dozen rural panchayats, and Nagar Council officials, who warmly welcomed Arora with mementos, reflecting community support for the initiative.
Vision for a Healthy Punjab
Speaking at the event, Aman Arora emphasized Punjab’s emergence as a national leader in healthcare. “The Punjab health model is being lauded not just in India but globally,” he said. He outlined plans to expand health centers, mobile health units, and telemedicine services to ensure quality treatment reaches every citizen. The Longowal CHC is a step toward realizing the vision of “equal and excellent health services for all,” reducing the economic and mental burden on rural communities by providing timely medical care locally.
Arora highlighted the government’s response to local demands, recalling how residents had previously requested funds for the hospital’s boundary wall. Instead of a Rs38-lakh grant for repairs, the government committed to building a new, ultra-modern facility. “Today, that promise is being fulfilled,” Arora said, adding that a network of streetlights will soon illuminate Longowal, creating a “Diwali-like” ambiance every night.
Features of the 30-Bed CHC
The new CHC will eliminate the need for rural residents to travel to urban hospitals for advanced treatment. Key facilities include:
- Comprehensive OPD services
- General wards
- Maternity and child healthcare
- Basic surgical services
- Laboratory testing
- Emergency medical care
Built at a cost of Rs10.97 crore, the facility replaces an old, demolished structure and is designed to meet IPHS standards, ensuring high-quality care for Longowal’s 1.92 lakh residents.
War on Drugs: Bulldozer Action Continues
Arora reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy against drug smuggling, a major societal issue in Punjab. Under CM Bhagwant Mann’s leadership, “bulldozer action” is targeting drug smugglers’ properties, with affected families showing support by showering flowers on police during such operations. “The fight against drugs is a war we cannot win without every citizen’s participation,” Arora urged, emphasizing that those responsible for destroying families through drugs will face strict consequences. watch…….Punjab Health Minister Inspects Facilities, Directs Doctors to Ensure Quality Healthcare
He highlighted other governance achievements, including:
- Daytime power supply for farmers, a first in Punjab’s history
- Acquisition of a private thermal plant to boost energy security
- Closure of 18 toll plazas to ease financial burdens
- Over 58,000 merit-based government jobs provided without bribes
Transforming Punjab’s Healthcare Landscape
The Longowal CHC is part of a broader transformation in Punjab’s health sector:
881 Aam Aadmi Clinics
Since 2022, 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been established, offering 80 essential medicines and 46 diagnostic tests free of charge. Over 3.25 crore patients have been treated, and 1.40 crore tests conducted, making healthcare accessible and affordable.
Maternal and Child Health Boost
Five new Mother and Child Health (MCH) hospitals have been built in Jagraon, Phagwara, Budhlada, Kharar, and Nakodar at Rs27.39 crore. Bed capacity expansions at six new and three existing MCH centers, costing Rs73.84 crore, have been completed, enhancing maternal and child care services.
Advanced Health Centers
New 30-bed health centers with modern facilities are under construction in:
- SDH Nabha (Rs6.50 crore)
- CHC Raikot (Rs5.82 crore)
- DH Faridkot (Rs6.27 crore)
New Sub-Divisional Hospitals (SDHs) in Talwandi Sabo (Rs6.61 crore) and Patti (Rs7.06 crore) are nearing completion. Expansions at Faridkot and Bathinda district hospitals (Rs13.24 crore), Barnala (Rs5.11 crore), and Ludhiana (Rs13.01 crore) are also progressing rapidly.
Upgrades and Modernization
- Chamkaur Sahib CHC upgraded to SDH (Rs13.97 crore)
- Renovations completed in Dhanaula, Chabbewal, and Giddarbaha hospitals (Rs15.07 crore)
Critical Care Blocks
Under the PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, Critical Care Blocks (CCBs) worth Rs236.97 crore are being built in 13 districts, including Bathinda, Ferozepur, Fazilka, SBS Nagar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Jalandhar, Patiala, and Ludhiana, with construction advancing swiftly.
Community Health Infrastructure
- 61 Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) established (Rs17.6 crore)
- 44 Block Public Health Units (BPHUs) completed (Rs12.76 crore)
- 79 additional HWCs and 37 BPHUs under development
