Following the floods in Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's government has launched a special health campaign in 2303 affected villages. Doctors, nurses, and ASHA workers are examining people and providing medicines at temporary health camps.
Punjab Flood: Following the recent floods in Punjab, health and sanitation problems have increased in several parts of the state. Although the floodwaters have receded, the risk of diseases persists. Waterlogging increases the threat of malaria, dengue, and stomach ailments. Keeping this situation in mind, the Punjab government has launched a special health campaign from September 14.
The objective of this campaign is to provide medical aid, medicines, and examination facilities to the flood-affected population. Under the campaign, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and ASHA workers are visiting villages and homes to assist people.
Expansion of the Campaign
Temporary health camps have been set up in 2303 flood-affected villages across the state as part of this health campaign. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is personally overseeing the campaign. The government's primary target is to provide assistance to every household at least once by September 20. Additionally, a fogging campaign will be conducted for the next 21 days to control mosquito-borne diseases like malaria.
Facilities at Health Camps
Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and nursing students are working together at each temporary health camp. In villages without hospitals or medical centers, school buildings, panchayat ghars, or Anganwadi centers have been converted into temporary medical facilities. The camps offer patient examinations, essential medicines, ORS, dettol, fever medication, malaria and dengue testing kits, and first-aid services.
Assistance Reaching Door-to-Door
ASHA workers and local volunteers are integral to the campaign. They are conducting health check-ups door-to-door for the affected population and providing medicines to those in need. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's aim is to ensure no family is deprived of health services in the aftermath of the floods.
In every village, Aam Aadmi Party MLAs and district party in-charges are inspecting the camp operations. Over 550 ambulances have been deployed for this campaign. The number of mosquitoes increases after floods, posing a risk of malaria and dengue outbreaks. Therefore, the government has set a target of continuous fogging for 21 days in every village.
Along with fogging, local health teams are identifying and cleaning stagnant water bodies. This step is crucial for preventing a health crisis and reducing disease transmission post-floods.
Role of Party Leaders
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated that representatives at all levels, MLAs, and district party in-charges are playing an active role in the health campaign. Their responsibility is to ensure that services reach the local population effectively. MLAs, ministers, and local leaders are actively involved in camp management, ensuring medical assistance reaches every village and home.
Public Awareness
Another objective of this campaign is to raise public awareness about health and sanitation. People are being educated about the importance of clean water, hygiene, and mosquito prevention after floods. ASHA workers are also visiting homes to inform people about the symptoms of malaria and dengue and how to protect themselves.
Assistance for Affected Families
Every patient at the camp is examined, and medicines are provided as per their needs. Villages with severe health issues are referred to the nearest hospital. The government is striving to ensure that aid reaches every flood-affected individual and no one is denied health services.
