Chandigarh: Fulfilling another major poll promise of significant improvement in the healthcare system and to provide best healthcare services free of cost to the people across the state, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led state government will operationalize “Mohalla clinics” on the Independence Day on August 15.
Health and Family Welfare Minister S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra said that these clinics, which would spread across the state, would enable decentralized delivery as well as strengthening of primary health care to people at their doorsteps, thereby increasing access to an expanded range of services, reduce out of pocket expenditure, improve disease surveillance and strengthen referral linkages especially for the vulnerable and marginalised sections.
Notably, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, in his statement recently, disclosed that during the first Phase, 75 Mohalla clinics will be made operational across the state by 15th August 2022 to mark the 75th Independence day. By end of this fiscal year, 109 Mohalla clinics will be set up.
The Minister further said that every Mohalla clinic will be staffed with a Medical officer, Pharmacist, Clinical Assistant & Sweeper cum Helper. The Human resources at Mohalla clinics is to be empanelled on per patient basis. These clinics will provide outpatient care for a range of curative care for common illnesses, first aid for injuries, dressing and management of minor wounds. Referral and subsequent follow up for specialized care will also be done through these clinics. Health education, information and awareness too shall be focused upon, he added.
“Essential drugs and tests will be made available at Mohalla clinics. The diagnostic facilities at Mohalla clinics will be provided through PPP mode”, said the Minister, adding that this will ensure availability of diagnostic tests at Mohalla clinics in a cost-efficient and consistent manner. An IT system will be developed for the registration of patients and record keeping at Mohalla clinics. Teleconsultation services with the specialist will also be introduced in a phased manner, he added. The Minister said that empanelment process has already started for this project.
