Ready for any medical emergency: Punjab Health Minister

Punjab's Health Department has made necessary arrangements for any medical emergency in view of the escalating tension in the border areas following surgical strikes by the Army across the Line of Control.

Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jyani called a meeting of senior officers in this regard here today.

All the preparatory arrangements for providing smooth medical services in case of any emergency situations were reviewed in the meeting, an official spokesman said.

Jyani said the directions have been given to the officials of the department, especially the civil surgeons of border districts of Amritsar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur and Pathankot to remain on alert.
 

Leaves of medical and paramedical staff in the affected areas have been cancelled with immediate effect, he said, adding rural medical officers posted in the districts have also been asked to render their services in affected areas as required by the health department.

Civil surgeons have been told to ensure that ambulances should be checked and fully functional to tackle any type of eventuality. They have been directed to maintain adequate stock of medicines and other essential drugs, including availability of blood of all groups in government hospitals, Jyani said.

Adequate funds have already been sanctioned to the districts, he said.

The Medical Education and Research Department has also been requested to direct the Government Medical Colleges in Faridkot and Amritsar to ensure availability of adequate number of doctors and paramedical staff, medicines and equipments round the clock, he said.

Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) have been withdrawn from their regular tour plans and deputed in all camps where people evacuated from border areas are being lodged, Jyani said.

He said additional staff for the border districts would be mobilised from adjoining districts, if required.

Principal Secretary Health Vini Mahajan said emergency medical response services dial-108 have been put on high alert along with toll free medical helpline no 104.

Drug warehouses have been alerted to procure and keep ready the adequate stocks of life saving drugs, medicines, consumables to ensure an uninterrupted supply chain of medicines to the health institutions of the border districts, she said.