NADDA OFFERS REFERRAL HEALTH FACILITIES AT AIIMS AND PGI TO PATIENTS OF EYE CAMP
JAYANI ASKS CIVIL SURGEONS TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE HEALTH CAMPS ORGANISED BY UNAUTHORIZED NGOs
NewZNew (Chandigarh/Jammu) : The Punjab government today banned holding of health camps without prior approval of the Civil Surgeons. Meanwhile, Taking serious note of the unrecognized NGOs holding health camps without informing the administration and the health department causing irreparable health hazards to the people, Health and Family Welfare Minister Punjab Mr. Surjit Kumar Jayani today issued detailed instructions to all the Civil Surgeons of Punjab not to allow such camps that do not have sufficient number of medical specialists to hold such camps.
Meanwhile as Punjab Health Minister Mr. Jayani who is away to Jammu on Election tour brought matter to the notice of Union Health Minister Mr. JP Nadda. Mr. Nadda assuring total support of the Health Ministry to look after patients affected by the Eye camp said that Punjab Health department can refer these patients to AIIMS, New Delhi and PGI, Chandigarh, if required so that world class ophthalmological experts could examine them and see if damage done to the eyes of unfortunate patients could be undone.
He said that it has been made mandatory that civil surgeon before allowing any organization to hold medical camp would certify that the organization has sufficient medical infrastructure and medical specialists to conduct surgeries if required. He would also ensure that such camps use sterilized equipments for conducting the surgery and they conduct proper preoperative and post operative care of the patients.
Expressing anguish at the avoidable tragedy at the Eye camp, Mr. Jayani said that it was unfortunate that such NGOs were playing with the lives of innocent people and this practice has to be checked strictly. He said that though health department welcomes people participation in extending medical care to the remote rural areas of Punjab but no organization would be allowed to conduct surgeries without any proper medical manpower and required infrastructure. The Minister has also asked the Civil Surgeons to ensure that the NGOs and other Voluntary Organizations if organizing health camps must have adequate infrastructure besides ensuring proper hygienic conditions. He has also sought complete details about the antecedents of the doctors and other people involved in organizing this eye camp.
Issuing clear instructions to the Health department, the Minister asked the Civil Surgeons across the state to remain watchful in their respective districts regarding the camps being organized by the non government organizations (NGOs) in collaborations with the non-professionals. He said that nobody would be allowed to play with the health of the people of Punjab. He also said that the prior written permission from the Director Health was mandatory while holding any health camp anywhere in the state.
He has also asked the Civil Surgeons of Amritsar and Gurdaspur to provide all the necessary emergent help to the patients who were admitted in the government hospitals at the government hospitals Gurdaspur and Amritsar. Mr. Jayani also said that the patients undergoing treatment at Amritsar Medical College and Hospital would be treated free of cost.
