Punjab Health Department ramps up massive response in flood-hit districts

Published on: 03 Sep 2025 at 12:16 PM

Published by: PreetiMahajan

The Fact News Service

Ludhiana, September 3

The Department of Health & Family Welfare, Punjab, under the guidance of Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, has launched an extensive medical relief and response mission in the flood-affected districts to safeguard the health and well-being of citizens.

In a significant development, Civil Surgeon Dr. Ramandeep Kaur flagged off a fleet of ambulances from Civil Hospital Ludhiana. This initiative reflects the Punjab Government’s strong commitment to ensuring timely and effective healthcare for flood-affected communities across the state.

A total of 818 medical teams, including 458 Rapid Response Teams and 360 Mobile Medical Teams, have been deployed across the flood-hit villages. These teams are fully equipped with essential medicines. So far, 962 medical camps have been organized, where more than 31,876 patients have been treated for ailments such as diarrhea, gastroenteritis, diabetes, hypertension, skin and eye allergies, and dog bites. Ante-natal checkups are also being provided to pregnant women. Districts have been supplied with adequate stocks of essential drugs, with 66 drugs and 21 consumables identified in advance for flood relief. Separate funds have been allotted to ensure uninterrupted supply of medicines.

Medical mobile teams are carrying out house-to-house visits to provide treatment at the doorstep. A total of 11,103 ASHA workers are actively engaged in raising awareness about vector-borne and water-borne diseases, mobilizing fever patients for testing, tracking pregnant women on priority, and ensuring that routine immunization remains unaffected in flood-hit areas.

To prevent the spread of disease, chlorine tablets and pellets are being distributed door-to-door, while residents are being advised to consume only safe or treated water. Large-scale spraying and fogging operations are underway in waterlogged areas, with daily monitoring of cases to prevent clustering and ensure early detection of outbreaks.

For emergency medical transport, 170 ambulances have been earmarked by the Department, while the Indian Medical Association, Nursing Colleges, NGOs, and other partners have contributed an additional 254, bringing the total to 424 ambulances stationed round-the-clock in affected districts. In Gurdaspur, two boat ambulances are serving cut-off villages, while a helicopter service equipped with medical support has been deployed to airlift critical patients. So far, five pregnant women have been successfully evacuated and provided timely medical care at nearby government hospitals.

In a major manpower push, 322 Medical Officers have been appointed, with 138 specifically deputed to the seven worst-affected districts. These officers are leading medical camps, mobile teams, and ambulance services, ensuring maternal, child, and emergency healthcare. Support has also come from IMA Punjab, Nursing Colleges, private hospitals, and medical colleges, while the Punjab Chemist Association has been preparing and supplying medical first aid kits containing essential medicines and consumables.

Speaking on the efforts, Dr. Ramandeep Kaur, Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, said: “All districts are working round the clock to provide uninterrupted healthcare and preventive services. Under the guidance of Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, the Punjab Government reaffirms its strong commitment to protecting lives and ensuring timely medical care during this flood crisis.”