The Fact News Service
S.A.S. Nagar, August 5
Senior Congress leader and former Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu has criticized Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s statement claiming that “our students will no longer need to go to Ukraine for MBBS as we are building 4 new medical colleges in Punjab.” He said this is nothing but an attempt to divert public attention. The reality is that the Aam Aadmi Party government has failed to fulfill the promises it made while seeking votes.
Sidhu pointed out that the Mann government announced plans to build 12 new medical colleges, but till date, no clear information has been provided about which colleges have been built, where they are located, and when they will become operational. These questions remain unanswered, leaving the public in confusion.
The former minister further stated that Punjab’s healthcare system cannot be improved merely by setting up a few clinics. There is still a massive shortage of doctors in rural areas, and the availability of essential medicines continues to be a major issue. People often have to travel several kilometers to access healthcare services, which poses a severe challenge, especially for economically weaker families.
Drawing a comparison with the previous Congress government, Sidhu said, “During our tenure, medical college fees were kept affordable. However, the Bhagwant Mann government has increased MBBS fees to ₹9.5 lakh, which is completely unjustified. In comparison, the fees in neighboring states like Haryana and Himachal Pradesh are less than half, while the scholarships offered to students there are almost double.”
He emphasized that the youth who dream of becoming doctors and serving society are now facing immense challenges. Due to limited seats, high fees, and lack of facilities, Punjab’s students are being compelled to pursue MBBS from countries like Ukraine, Russia, and China.
Sidhu also reminded the public of the Aam Aadmi Party’s unfulfilled promises. “Before coming to power, you promised ₹1,000 per month to women. It has been three years, yet not a single woman has received this amount in her account. Similarly, promises of government jobs and houses remain unfulfilled. Far from providing jobs, the youth are being forced to migrate abroad in search of employment.”
He added that Punjab continues to be plagued by the drug menace. “Our youth, the future of our society, are sinking deeper into this crisis every day. This is no longer just a health issue; it has become a grave challenge for our politics, economy, and social fabric. The government’s failure to address these issues reflects the hollowness of its policies.”
