Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh announced that the state will soon recruit 400 doctors to tackle staff shortages and expand health services. The recruitment process has been completed, and new medical colleges will be opened in four districts.

This initiative aims to make Punjab a hub for medical education. Dr. Singh made this announcement during a state-level campaign on dengue awareness, where he highlighted the significant reduction in dengue cases this year. Compared to last year's 654 cases in Faridkot district, only 120 cases have been reported this year.

The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) covers six diseases, including malaria, dengue, and kala azar, under a single umbrella program. The government will ensure timely procurement of medicines and equipment for epidemic control.

Dr. Singh emphasized the crucial role students play in spreading awareness and instructed health officials to conduct regular check-ups and utilize students' support. The Dengue Expert Advisory Group (DEAG) plays a crucial role in developing guidelines and protocols for dengue management.

Additionally, Dr. Singh mentioned that over 2.25 crore people have received treatment from 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics (AACs) in the state. He assured that doctors and support staff will be appointed in district-level and sub-division-level hospitals, addressing medicine shortages and ensuring improvements. Students will be involved in spreading awareness about dengue and other health issues

Baba Farid University of Health Sciences Vice-Chancellor Dr. Rajiv Sood pledged students' support in the anti-dengue campaign. With the help of over 50,000 students, the state aims to educate and inform 15-20 lakh people about dengue prevention. Regular check-ups and awareness campaigns will be conducted to prevent vector-borne diseases.

(Input From Various Sources)

(Rehash/Neha Kamble/MSM)