Punjab launches doorstep healthcare scheme
By IANSSaturday, July 17, 2010
CHANDIGARH - A scheme to provide healthcare at the doorstep of villagers suffering from diseases like cancer and water-borne ailments was launched by the Punjab government Saturday.
The government, in association with Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited, launched the ‘Sanjeevan Swasthya Sewa’ by flagging off 10 specially-designed healthcare vans from Mirjeana village touching the Haryana border.
“Ten specially designed health care vans are fitted with a laboratory, audio visual aids, medical and surgical equipments, and also have provisions of essential medicines and emergency life support,” said Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, after flagging off the vans.
“In the first phase, the vans will cover 40 blocks of Mansa, Bathinda and Muktsar districts. Over 6.5 lakh people of 238 villages will benefit from these free-of-cost facilities,” he said.
Badal said that to upgrade medical facilities in the state a budget of Rs.346 crore has already been sanctioned on the recommendation of a special committee.
