Healthand Family Welfare Minister, Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu on Friday handed over theappointment letters to 771 new Community Health Officers (CHOs) for extendinghealthcare services at Health & Wellness Centres (HCWs) under the Ghar GharRozgar Yojna initiated by Chief Minister Captian Amarinder Singh.
Disclosingthis on the occasion, Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu said that Punjab had earlieroperationalized 1607 Tandrust Punajab Sehat Kendra (HWCs) at the village levelwhich would now go up to 2378. He said that Punjab Government has alreadyachieved the target of 142% to set up new HWCs/Sub-Centres across the State.
Welcomingthe newly joined staff in the Health Department, Mr. Sidhu urged them toperform the duties honestly. He said that CHOs have been providing theComprehensive Primary Health Services to people of Rural areas and they did aremarkable job during the lockdown.
Briefingabout the services being provided at these Tandrust Punjab Sehat Kendras, hesaid that 27 essential medicines and 6 Diagnostics tests/ services areavailable at these centres. As HWCs.have penetrated the remotest area of theState, the program is already fulfilling the basic primary and quality healthcare needs of the families living in such areas.
Thespecial focus of HWCs is on screening people for chronic diseases likehypertension, diabetes, asthma, etc, and provides free of cost medicines forthe same. He said that when the patient put on treatment by the CHOs, itprovides permanent relief to him/her and also reduces the burden on thesecondary health services.
Speakingon the occasion Principal Secretary Health Mr. Hussan Lal welcomed the newCommunity Health Officers. He also said that Punjab has managed the COVID-19pandemic very well and this became possible only because of the selflessservices of our Health and frontline workers.
Onthe occasion, Special Secretary Health Mr. Amit Kumar, Director Health andFamily Welfare Dr. GB Singh, OSD to Health Minister, Dr.Balwinder Singh,Political Advisor to Health Minister and Director Cooperative Bank Mohali Mr.Harkesh Sharma, Director National Health Mission Dr. Areet Kaur and othersenior officers of the department were present as well.