Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh announced on Tuesday (September 2) that a total of 818 medical units have been dispatched to flood-affected regions of the state. These include 458 rapid response teams and 360 mobile medical units, all stocked with necessary medications.
“Our priority is to make sure that every individual receives medical assistance,” he stated.
Medical camps are being organized daily within the impacted zones and at shelter facilities to provide continuous healthcare services. So far, 962 camps have taken place, examining and treating over 31,876 patients suffering from various health issues like diarrhea, gastroenteritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, skin and eye allergies, and dog bites.
Special attention is being given to expectant mothers through antenatal care check-ups.
Minister Singh emphasized that an effective system is in place to manage the emergency. Punjab holds a sufficient reserve of 66 key medicines and 21 medical consumables specifically chosen for flood relief. District authorities have also received additional funds to procure any extra drugs needed to maintain uninterrupted healthcare delivery.
To prevent disease outbreaks, over 11,103 ASHA workers have been deployed across affected districts. These workers conduct door-to-door visits, distributing medicines and educating people about water-borne and vector-borne diseases. They are also closely monitoring pregnant women and ensuring that routine immunizations continue without interruption.
The health department currently operates 170 ambulances, supplemented by another 254 fully equipped ambulances contributed generously by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), nursing colleges, and NGOs. This brings the total number of ambulances in service to 424, allowing round-the-clock rapid medical response.
In Gurdaspur, special measures include the deployment of two boat ambulances and a helicopter for emergency airlift of critically ill patients, especially pregnant women. To date, five pregnant women have been safely evacuated and received timely treatment.
The heavy rainfall in catchment areas of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir caused significant flooding in Punjab through overflowing of the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers along with smaller rivulets. Punjab recorded 253.7 mm of rainfall in August, 74 percent above average, marking the highest rainfall the state has received in 25 years.
