The Punjab Government has taken a significant step towards delivering healthcare services to rural areas with the laying of the foundation stone of a 30-bed Community Health Centre (CHC) by Cabinet Minister Aman Arora in Longowal of Sangrur district. The ceremony marked a major milestone in the state's healthcare infrastructure development. The CHC, to be built at a cost of Rs11 crore, will cater to a population of approximately 1.92 lakh people at the block level, adhering to Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS).
Prior to the ceremony, Aman Arora was warmly welcomed by local dignitaries, including sarpanchs and panchs from over a dozen rural panchayats, as well as Nagar Council officials, who presented him with mementos.
Committed towards a Healthy Punjab
Laying the foundation stone of the health center, Cabinet Minister Aman Arora said that Punjab has become the leading state in the country in the health sector today. The Punjab health model is being praised not only in India but also abroad. In the coming time, more health centers, mobile health units, and telemedicine services will be initiated so that quality treatment can be made available to every citizen of Punjab. Aman Arora said that the health infrastructure is being strengthened in villages and towns to realise the vision of 'equal and excellent health services for all'. This will not only make timely treatment possible but will also reduce the economic and mental distress of the rural people.
30-bed hospital will have all kinds of OPD facility
Aman Arora said that earlier when he had come to Longowal, the local people had then demanded a grant for this hospital wall. On the demand of the people, the government released 38 lakh rupees, but on the same day, I decided to build a new hospital with state-of-the-art facilities for the people. Aman Arora said that today that resolution is going to be fulfilled. Aman Arora said that soon a network of street lights will be laid inside Longowal. On completion of the project, daily there will be a view of Diwali for people of Longowal at night.
Will not spare any drug smugglers in Punjab
Cabinet Minister Aman Arora said that after coming to power, many historic decisions were taken in the interest of the general public under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. For the convenience of the farmers, we are providing an adequate power supply for the agriculture sector during the day, this has happened for the first time in the history of Punjab, when a government bought a private thermal plant itself. 18 toll plazas were closed to prevent looting of people in Punjab; more than 58 thousand youths have been provided government jobs without a bribe or recommendation. Aman Arora said that the biggest curse on Punjab has been drugs, and now the Punjab government is trying to eradicate that curse. As of now, there is a war against the drugs in the entire state, but the government cannot succeed in it till every family and citizen of Punjab participates in that war. Aman Arora made it clear that the government will not forgive those people who destroyed many families in Punjab by selling drugs.
In Punjab, the bulldozer action is being taken against the houses of drug smugglers; during that action, the victim families have been seen showering flowers on the police at many such sites. It is clear that today Punjab is standing with the Bhagwant Mann government in the fight against drugs.
Transformation in Healthcare Services
Aman Arora stated that with the construction of this modern Community Health Centre (CHC), people in rural areas will no longer need to travel to big city hospitals for the treatment of serious illnesses. This CHC will provide facilities including OPD services, general wards, maternity facilities, basic surgical services, lab testing, and emergency medical care for the convenience of the public.
This CHC, catering to a population of approximately 1.92 lakh, will function as a block-level healthcare facility. The old building has been completely demolished, and the new facility is being constructed at a cost of Rs10.97 crore as per Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS).
881 Aam Aadmi Clinics: A Symbol of Strengthened Healthcare
Punjab’s health sector has witnessed significant transformation, with several major projects enhancing medical services. Under the Bhagwant Mann-led government, 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been established in the last three years, providing patients with 80 essential medicines and 46 types of diagnostic tests free of cost. So far, over 3.25 crore patients have been treated at these clinics, and more than 1.40 crore medical tests have been conducted free of charge.
Boosting Maternal and Child Health
To strengthen maternal and child healthcare, the Punjab government has set up five new Mother and Child Health (MCH) hospitals, including in Jagraon, Phagwara, Budhlada, Kharar, and Nakodar, at a cost of ₹27.39 crore. Additionally, the work of expansion of bed capacity in six new MCH centers and in three existing centers has also been completed expeditiously, with a total investment of ₹73.84 crore.
Revolutionary Projects in Punjab’s Health System
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann envisions ensuring accessible healthcare for all, eliminating the need for people to travel long distances for medical services. To achieve this, primary health centers and district hospitals across the state are being upgraded and expanded.
New 30-bed health centers with advanced medical facilities are being established in various cities, including SDH Nabha (₹6.50 crore), CHC Raikot (₹5.82 crore), and DH Faridkot (₹6.27 crore).
Additionally, the work of new SDHs being constructed in Talwandi Sabo and Patti with the cost of ₹6.61 and ₹7.06 crores, respectively, is in the final stage and is nearing completion. Similarly, expansion projects at Faridkot and Bathinda district hospitals with the cost of ₹13.24 crore have been completed, while expansion work in Barnala worth ₹5.11 crore and Ludhiana worth ₹13.01 crore is also progressing swiftly and near completion.
The Punjab government has also upgraded Chamkaur Sahib CHC to SDH at a cost of ₹13.97 crore. Renovation and modernization of hospitals in Dhanaula, Chabbewal, and Giddarbaha have been completed for ₹15.07 crore.
Critical Care Blocks in 13 Districts
Apart from these, Critical Care Blocks (CCBs) are being constructed in 13 districts at a cost of ₹236.97 crore under the PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. Work is progressing rapidly in districts including Bathinda, Ferozepur, Fazilka, SBS Nagar, Gurdaspur, and Tarn Taran, while construction is ongoing in Jalandhar, Patiala, Ludhiana, and other districts.
Strengthening Community Health Infrastructure
The Punjab government has been consistently strengthening community health infrastructure. So far, 61 Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) have been established at a cost of ₹17.6 crore, and 44 Block Public Health Units (BPHUs) have been completed for ₹12.76 crore. Additionally, construction and development of 79 more HWCs and 37 BPHUs are underway.
