The Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
Amritsar, August 28, 2013: The Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today called for the introduction of comprehensive "Free Health Security" for the common man, especially the poor, in the country, on the lines of Food Security.
Speaking at the launch of the "National Free Drug and Iron Plus Initiative"
scheme at Government Medical College here this morning, the Chief Minister called upon the center to bring a legislation to this effect in the Parliament and promised his party's full support to the measure. He said that it was unfortunate that even after more than 65 years of independence the poor sections were still being deprived off the quality medical Health facilities. He said that need of the hour was to ensure that quality Health services were ensured within the reach of the common man for which this noble initiative was required from the GoI.
Expressing concern over the increasing trend of drug addiction in the state, the Chief Minister also asked the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azaad to raise the issue of unabated drug supply from the borders into Punjab, with the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. He said that agencies manning the borders of the county should be asked to maintain strict vigil so as to check the supply of drugs into the country. He also asked the Union Minister to impose a blanket ban on poppy husk, which was selling freely in states like Rajasthan, so as to preserve the health of the people.
Lauding Azaad for his special affection with the state of Punjab, the Chief Minister said that the former had always acceded to the demands made by the state government for providing quality health services to the people. He said that owing to the concerted efforts made by the state government, Punjab was today leading the country in the field of Health and Education. However he said that a number of things were still needed to be done, for which the active support and cooperation of the Union government was required.
Laying thrust on the need to combat the menace of Cancer, Drug addiction and Female foeticide efficaciously, the Chief Minister said that the GoI must embark a major program to conduct a thorough research for ascertaining the causes of the cancer in the country. He said that it was serious problem confronted by the country and the need of the hour was to take effective steps to counter this disease.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has been constantly making endeavors to tackle this deadly disease. He said that the state government has recently conducted a comprehensive door to door survey for detecting the cancer amongst the people so that it could be checked at the early stage. Likewise Badal said that the medical colleges of Patiala, Amritsar and Faridkot were being upgraded with the latest equipments to impart quality treatment to cancer patients free of cost adding that an advanced Cancer treatment centre was being set up at Bathinda by Baba Farid University.
The Chief Minister also expressed thanks to the GoI for giving its nod to set up world class Cancer treatment Hospital at Mullanpur on the lines of Tata Cancer Hospital. He also thanked the Ministry of Health for approving two satellite centres attached with PGIMER, Chandigarh at Ferozepur and Sangrur. He asked the Union Minister to give one Regional Cancer treatment centre to the state for tackling this grave problem.
Showing deep concern over the grave situation faced by the country, the Chief Minister said that all the political parties of the country must join hands at this critical juncture by avoiding unnecessary criticism of each other. He said that the need of hour was that all the political parties should shun their ideological differences and work towards ushering in an era of unparalleled development in the country.
The Chief Minister also said that country was facing a large number of social maladies due to the weakening of the federal structure in the country. Citing the example of Agriculture, Badal said that though it was a state subject but the centre has usurped its powers by taking the entire control of fixing the prices of crops and cost of agriculture inputs. He said that the country and states could progress only if the Federal structure was implemented in true letter and spirit.
Later in his address the Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azaad lauded the role of state in freedom movement of the country besides making the country self reliant in food production. He said that the GoI had already spent Rs 125 crore for establishing a ‘Super Specialty Hospital’ at Amritsar medical college adding that a similar hospital would also be set up at Medical College Patiala. Azaad also said that out of 20 Regional Cancer centres to be established across the country by GoI, one would be set up in state.
The Union Minister also lauded the role of state in curbing the Infant Mortality Rate and Maternal Mortality Rate adding that efforts must be made to check the female foeticide. Azaad also exhorted the people the play proactive role in checking the tendency of drug addiction in the state.
The Chief Minister and Union Minister accompanied by Union Health Minister for state Santosh Chaudhary also inaugurated the outlet for free medicine service at Sri Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, Medical College Amritsar.
Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Cabinet Ministers Chunni Lal Bhagat, Madan Mohan Mittal and Anil Joshi, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Navjot Kaur Sidhu and Mohinder Kaur Josh, Principal Secretary Health Mrs Vinnie Mahajan, Secretary Health Hussan Lal and Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Gurkirat Kirpal Singh.