Punjab Health Minister to Make Civil Hospital ICU Functional by January 2025
Further, Health Minister Singh also addressed an investigation into a medicine scam at Aam Aadmi Clinics, where bills worth crores were approved for undelivered supplies.
Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh has pledged to operationalize Civil Hospital’s ICU and establish a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) by January 2025.
The ICU, set up during the Covid-19 pandemic with ventilators, has remained non-functional due to a lack of trained personnel. Post-pandemic, staff were redeployed, leaving critical equipment unused.
In September 2023, a team from the Health Department, led by Dr Hitinder Kaur, Director of Health Services, alongside experts from Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), reviewed the facility. However, the ICU remains inactive due to unresolved staffing issues.
The Aam Aadmi Minister also promised to resolve the hospital's shortage of doctors and specialists within 15 days, ensuring patients no longer need to travel for treatment.
“We are committed to making the ICU fully functional and addressing all gaps. By January 2025, the hospital will be upgraded with state-of-the-art facilities to meet patients' needs,” he said.
Ongoing Medicine Scam Investigation
Further, Health Minister Singh also addressed an investigation into a medicine scam at Aam Aadmi Clinics, where bills worth crores were approved for undelivered supplies.
“The vigilance bureau is conducting a thorough probe, and strict action will follow against those found guilty,” he stated.
Dr Singh highlighted positive feedback from Aam Aadmi Clinics, noting that 98% of patients expressed satisfaction with their services.
"We continue to work on enhancing healthcare quality and resolving any shortcomings swiftly,” he added.
