Punjab to rope in private doctors to treat patients in government hospitals

Chandigarh: The civil surgeons of Punjab will coordinate with the state chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to deploy willing private medical professionals in government hospitals. Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh on Monday directed the civil surgeons to also reach out to retired doctors who are willing to serve in government hospitals.

The minister visited the directorate of health and family welfare and presided over a review meeting of civil surgeons. In order to ensure that no patient encountered any difficulties in accessing government health services, he also urged the civil surgeons to make the most use of available resources, reports Times of India. 

Also Read: Punjab Civil Medical Services Association opposes recruitment of Retired Doctors at Mohalla Clinics

During COVID, the National Human Rights Commission also followed the same idea and advised Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital authorities to rope in retired medical and paramedical staff to overcome the shortage of hands. 

Dr Balbir is a renowned ophthalmologist and Patiala rural MLA and he took over as the health minister in January this year. Lauding Dr Balbir, Dr Paramjit Maan stated, " As a medical professional himself, Dr Balbir Singh could establish a good relationship with the medical fraternity as the Health Minister, and thus, resolve the long-pending issues for ensuring a better execution of policies to bring in qualitative improvement in the healthcare sector."

As the Health Minister, Dr Balbir has taken different initiatives to ensure affordable and accessible healthcare in the state. He took special measures to take steps against serious infectious diseases. A few days ago he appealed at the ISHTH Campaign which started from 15th June 2023 and completed on 14th July 2023 for screening of HIV, STI, TB and viral hepatitis among jail inmates of all 25 prisons of Punjab.