Health Minister visits COVID-affected family, reiterates Punjab’s readiness
Ludhiana, May 30 (Rajkumar Sathi). As part of the on-going ‘Har Shukarwar Dengue Te Vaar’ campaign’ Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh visited New Kailash Nagar on Friday morning and conducted a thorough inspection of every home in street number-1. Singh along with Civil Surgeon Dr Ramandeep Kaur and health teams identified dengue larvae in desert coolers, flower pots, water containers, fridge trays, tank water, and water storage containers. During his visit, he sensitized residents about the importance of cleaning and drying these items every Friday to prevent mosquito breeding. He remarked that these are critical breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquito, and regular cleaning is essential to stop dengue in its tracks. He also urged residents to wear full-sleeve shirts as an additional protective measure against mosquito which is known to bite during the daytime. The Minister highlighted the state-wide efforts under the campaign, noting that 20,000 ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers are actively inspecting homes across Punjab every Friday. These workers are tasked with identifying dengue larvae and educating communities on preventive steps, such as eliminating stagnant water and maintaining hygiene in and around households. He stated that this concerted effort is part of a broader goal to reduce dengue cases by 90% this year, following a 50% reduction achieved last year compared to previous years. To further strengthen the campaign, Dr. Singh also mentioned that school teachers across Punjab are being trained to educate students about dengue prevention. This initiative aims to mobilize an army of 20 lakh school students to spread awareness and assist in controlling the disease. Additionally, every village in Punjab has established a health committee with 15 members each, who are receiving training on identifying and eliminating dengue larvae, ensuring a grassroots-level response to the public health challenge. Later, Dr. Singh also visited the home of a family that had lost a member to COVID-19. He offered his condolences, encouraged the family to adhere to isolation guidelines, and assured them of the government’s unwavering support. Addressing the current COVID-19 situation, the Minister reported that only three cases have been recorded in Punjab to date, stressing that there is no cause for concern. He added that the situation is completely normal, and Punjab is fully equipped with adequate infrastructure, including oxygen, medicines, beds, and all necessary resources,” he reassured. The Minister also advised immune compromised individuals such as pregnant women, the elderly, and those with conditions like kidney disease, high BP, cancer, or respiratory issues to wear masks when stepping outside as a precautionary measure. He underscored the importance of vigilance while affirming the state’s preparedness to handle any health challenges. The Health Minister concluded by calling on the public to join hands in these efforts. “Through collective action and adherence to preventive measures, we can protect our communities from both dengue and COVID-19,” he said.
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