Punjab government today sanctioned Rs 102 crore to equip 22 district hospitals, 41 sub-divisional hospitals and 37 community health centres with latest medical and diagnostic facilities to strengthen the state’s health care network.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal approved a plan of Rs 102 crore to complete the residual works in this regard within the next three months, an official spokesperson today said.

Badal was presiding over a high-level meeting here, which was attended by Health & Family Welfare Minister Madan Mohan Mittal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu, Advisor on Health & Medical Education Dr K K Talwar, renowned doctors and other senior officials.

Directing the health department to expedite the process of filling up all vacant posts and ensure availability of specialist doctors and other paramedical staff in all hospitals in a time bound manner, the Chief Minister approved 200 additional posts against those doctors, who had proceeded for higher studies.

Emphasising on the need to create public awareness on prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases including endemic diseases, Badal asked the health department to launch an awareness campaign soon.

While reviewing a comparative analysis and progress of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in the state, Badal said, though Punjab had been appreciated nationally for its outstanding efforts in reducing infant mortality rate, it still needs to achieve more.

He asked the department to chalk out plans for establishing separate hospitals or wings for Mother and Child care and also issued directions to create a system under which, every newborn is provided intensive health care for the crucial first month, even after being discharged from hospitals.

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