Punjab Strengthens Rural Healthcare: 12,977 Village Health Committees Reconstituted to Combat Diseases and Drugs
Chandigarh, May 13,
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh inaugurated the reconstituted Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committees (VHSNCs) on Tuesday, urging the 12,977 committees to collaborate with the government to protect communities from vector- and water-borne diseases and support the state’s mission for a drug-free Punjab.
Over 1 lakh VHSNC members participated in the virtual inauguration via YouTube, showcasing their dedication. Dr. Singh interacted directly with over 100 members from Mansa, Patiala, Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurdaspur, and Bathinda, emphasizing the committees’ role in addressing health challenges like dengue, malaria, chikungunya, and diarrhea. He noted that ASHA workers, trained under the Har Shukarvar Dengue Te Var campaign, are identifying mosquito larvae and promoting the removal of stagnant water. The Health Department is also distributing Gambusia fish to village ponds as a biological control measure.
Dr. Singh announced free dengue testing at Aam Aadmi Clinics (AACs) and free treatment at government facilities for diagnosed cases. He urged VHSNCs to ensure safe drinking water, support Village Defence Committees in creating Nasha Mukt (drug-free) villages, and maintain vigilance against drug peddlers. Regular interactions with VHSNC members will continue, with the next session focusing on maternal and child health.
Amid the ongoing heatwave, Dr. Singh advised staying hydrated, avoiding sun exposure, wearing loose cotton clothing, and seeking shade for heatstroke symptoms. He also stressed the importance of tree planting for environmental sustainability. High-performing VHSNCs will receive grants and commendation certificates as recognition.
In a separate review meeting with Civil Surgeons, Dr. Singh called for a transformative approach to public healthcare, urging them to treat hospitals as their own and prioritize empathetic patient care to create a positive “placebo effect.” He reviewed primary and secondary health services across districts.
Key attendees included Vice Chairman PHSC Maninderjit Singh Vicky, Principal Secretary Health Kumar Rahul, Member Punjab Development Commission Anurag Kundu, Secretary Health Basant Garg, Special Secretary Health-cum-MD NHM Ghanshyam Thori, MD PHSC Amit Talwar, and Directors Dr. Hitinder Kaur, Dr. Jasminder, Dr. Jaspreet Kaur, and Dr. Anil Goyal.
Honored Districts for Health Program Excellence (2024-25):
- Lowest Maternal Mortality Rate: Ropar (25)
- Best Aam Aadmi Clinics: Sangrur
- Vector-Borne Diseases Control: Ludhiana
- Integrated Disease Surveillance & Non-Communicable Diseases Screening: Pathankot
- TB Campaign Screening: Fatehgarh Sahib
- Immunization: Hoshiarpur
- Free Spectacles Distribution (NPCB): Malerkotla
- Family Planning (Tubectomy & PPIUCD): Barnala
- Highest Sex Ratio (PC & PNDT, 2023-25): Kapurthala (964)
