Punjab sets up mobile wing for eradicating tuberculosis

CHANDIGARH: To achieve the target of eradicating tuberculosis (TB) from the state by 2022, the Punjab government has set a mobile wing to provide quality health services at the doorstep. The health department has also provided two-wheelers to senior treatment supervisors and senior treatment laboratory supervisors.
Health and family welfare minister Balbir Singh Sidhu flagged off 81 scooters at the sub-divisional hospital (SDH) in Kharar on Wednesday.He said vehicles are being provided to senior treatment supervisors and senior treatment lab supervisors (STS/STLS) who will visit houses of TB patients to enquire about their well-being and ensure that they are given essential medicines in a proper way.
Apart from that, these field workers would get information about any suspected TB patient in his house and nearby area and if any patient is identified, they will facilitate his transportation to the nearest government health facility for proper testing and treatment.
There are 215 TB treatment supervisors in the state health department, out of which 134 already have these vehicles. Sidhu said the state government is committed for providing best health care to the people of state and no compromise can be made with the health of the people.
Acceding to the long pending demand of the Kharar residents, he announced that a separate mother and child (MCH) ward would be established in the sub-divisional hospital (SDH) Kharar, which will be equipped with all modern medical facilities. He said the construction work for the building will begin in the coming days.