Health Minister inspects blood banks at Civil Hospital, ESIH

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 8

Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu on Saturday inspected blood banks at the Jallianwala Bagh Martyrs Memorial Civil Hospital and Employees State Insurance (ESI) Hospital.

Speaking on the lapses and negligence by a blood bank in Phagwara, the minister said the incident was unfortunate and it could result in loss of life of the innocent patient. He said such kind of negligence would not be tolerated.

Sidhu asked senior medical officers of all hospitals to attend patients at the OPD besides performing their administrative duties. The minister said a shortage of doctors in the state was a matter of concern and the government would soon recruit new doctors to end the problem.

The minister also ordered to issue a chargesheet against the medical superintendent of ESI Hospital after the former found him absent from duty during his visit.

Talking about the coronavirus threat in Punjab, the minister said no case had been reported so far. He asked the Health Department to continue to screen all suspected patients.

Sidhu also held a meeting with doctors and listened to their problems. He assured them of looking into all their issues and required steps.

Sidhu asked health officials to ensure that patients get all medicines from the hospitals’ pharmacies. He added that if some medicines are not available in the stock, it is the duty of the hospital to make these available to the patients from the market.

The Health Minister said, “The Punjab Government has a plan to set up four new medical colleges in the state. The colleges will not only help people get better medical services but will also help training new doctors. Under Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana, the hospitals must make beneficiary cards of eligible patients on the spot who come for treatment.”

'Issue chargesheet against ESIH official’

Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu on Saturday ordered to issue a chargesheet against the medical superintendent of ESI Hospital after the former found him absent from duty during his visit.