Latest news with #AamAadmiClinics
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: Now, get free dengue tests at Aam Aadmi Clinics
The Punjab government has decided to offer free dengue tests at all 882 Aam Aadmi Clinics across the state. 'Dengue (NSI ELISA) testing has been initiated at all the Aam Aadmi Clinics (AACs) across Punjab through the public-private partnership (PPP) mode in collaboration with Path Care Labs,' reads the letter issued by Punjab health department director. Private labs charge anywhere between ₹1,000– ₹1,500 for the dengue tests. Before this decision, ELISA-based dengue tests were conducted at only district and civil hospitals. Consequently, patients were compelled to visit private labs for dengue testing. In the wake of intermittent rain over the past few days, health officials were on alert. They said that the prevailing weather conditions were conducive to dengue breeding. The state has already reported over 100 cases this season.
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: Govt installs new signboards with Mann's image outside rebranded Ayushman Kendras
The Punjab government has installed new directional signboards bearing the image of chief minister Bhagwant Mann outside all Union government-run Ayushman Arogya Kendras across the move comes months after the state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre, agreeing to rebrand its Aam Aadmi Clinics (AACs) as Ayushman Arogya Kendras to restore funding under the National Health Mission (NHM). According to sources, the health department has installed two signboards at each location, with an estimated cost of ₹4,850 per signboard. The purpose, officials say, is to help people easily locate and access the health facilities. Earlier, the Union ministry of health and family welfare had halted NHM funds to Punjab, citing objections to the state-specific branding of centrally funded clinics. Following the MoU, the Punjab government rebranded 628 out of 881 AACs as Ayushman Arogya Kendras and removed Mann's image from clinic buildings. However, with the installation of these new signboards outside the premises of Ayushman Kendras, the state has reintroduced Mann's image in the public view near the health centres. A senior health official said, 'The decision has been taken by the state government. Following orders, we have installed directional signboards outside all Ayushman Arogya Kendras and Aam Aadmi Clinics. This will help people locate the health centres.' Before the Aam Aadmi Party came to power, these centres were known as health and wellness centres under a central government initiative.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Punjab health minister unveils multi-pronged strategy to bring down dengue cases
Chandigarh: Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh on Saturday unveiled a multi-pronged strategy combining public awareness, stricter enforcement and enhanced healthcare readiness to bring down the number of dengue cases in the state. "This year, our aim is to reduce dengue cases by 80 per cent," the minister said while presiding over a State Task Force meeting on vector-borne diseases here. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Principal Secretary, Health, Kumar Rahul. "Dedicated dengue beds with mosquito nets have been allocated in district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, community health centres, ESI hospitals and medical colleges while the testing and treatment for dengue and malaria will remain free of cost at all government health facilities, including 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics," Singh said. He announced that the 'Har Shukravar Dengue Te Var' campaign, initiated by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, will commence from May 1. He also stressed the importance of robust strategies to control dengue, malaria, and chikungunya while directing all stakeholder departments to amplify their efforts and launch a mass awareness drive to prevent these vector-borne diseases. The minister announced that dengue is a notifiable disease in Punjab and the price for its testing in private hospitals and laboratories has been capped at Rs 600 statewide, ensuring affordable access to this vital service. While outlining the health department's preparedness, Singh said 50,000 nursing staff and 50,000 paramedical staff have been trained as mosquito larvae breeder checkers and they will further train officials of the aligned departments to identify larvae and breeding spots, according to an official statement. During the meeting, the minister also reviewed the ongoing activities of various departments aimed at tackling dengue. He instructed officials to make concerted efforts to control both dengue and malaria to safeguard public health. Lauding the effectiveness of the 'Har Shukarvar Dengue Te Var' campaign, Singh said this awareness campaign yielded remarkable results last year with a 50 per cent reduction in dengue cases and a 66 per cent reduction in dengue-related deaths. He said special awareness camps will be organised in schools and students and teachers will be actively involved in the campaign. The minister also directed the Department of School Education to eliminate stagnant water in school premises, particularly around toilets, mid-day meal kitchens and overhead water tanks. Singh appealed to the public to actively prevent mosquito breeding by not letting water stagnate in and around their homes. He urged people to immediately visit government hospitals if they experience any symptoms of dengue and malaria to get tested.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Pb to soften dengue bite by 80%
Chandigarh: Punjab's health minister, Dr Balbir Singh, on Saturday unveiled a sweeping action plan to curb dengue fever's cases by 80% this year, combining public awareness drives, tighter enforcement, and enhanced healthcare measures across the state. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Speaking at a meeting of the state task force on vector-borne diseases at Punjab Bhawan, Dr Balbir Singh said dedicated dengue beds equipped with mosquito nets were laid at govt hospitals, medical colleges, and 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics. Testing and treatment for dengue fever and malaria will remain free at all govt health facilities. The minister announced the return of the CM's 'Har Shukarvar Dengue Te Vaar' campaign, which will kick off on May 1. Highlighting another major move, the minister noted that dengue fever had been declared a notifiable disease across Punjab. The state has capped the cost of relevant tests at private hospitals and laboratories at 600. The minister said last year's campaign had halved dengue fever's cases and cut related deaths by 66%. "No malaria deaths were reported in Punjab in 2024," he said. Expanding preventive efforts to schools, the health minister directed the officers to hold special awareness camps for students and teachers, while eradicating stagnant water on school premises — near toilets, mid-day meal kitchens, and water tanks especially. Addressing another priority, he instructed the water supply and sanitation department to repair malfunctioning reverse osmosis (RO) systems urgently for the provision of clean drinking water. State programme officer Dr Arshdeep Kaur updated the media on efforts under the National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme and outlined plans to intensify future action against those ailments.
