Governor for health cover for rural masses

With a view to ensuring comprehensive health cover to the rural people and improving their quality of life, the Punjab Governor and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh, Gen. (Retd.) S.F. Rodrigues, PVSM VSM today launched the Chandigarh Rural Health Mission by opening a Rural Poly Clinic at Village Attawa, a joint initiative of Healthcare India, an NGO and the Chandigarh Administration.
This first Health care project, one of five to cover the entire rural belt of Chandigarh under this mission, has an excellent support structure, equipped with modern medical techniques and will cover the population of villages Attawa, Kajheri, Baterala, Badheri, Colony No 5 and Nehru Colony. Accompanied by Home-cum-Health Secretary, Mr. Krishna Mohan, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Mr. PS Aujla and other senior officers of the Administration, the Administrator went round the Poly Clinic Complex and took stock of the various facilities and services. He inspected OPDs, x-ray room, laboratory, ECG, ultra-sound and dental wing and suggested innovative measures for ensuring quality preventive and diagnostic services to the needy patients.
In his brief address on the occasion, General Rodrigues emphasized the need for broadening and deepening the scope of Public-Private partnership in improving the quality of life of rural people and said that it is incumbent on all of us, as concerned citizens, to look after the ‘have nots’ and ensure them basic healthcare services, to ensure their growth as healthy citizens. He said that we must develop confidence in ourselves, evolve our own strategies and move ahead together, to meet the set goal in different fields of endeavour.
He said that the time has come for us to reinvent ourselves and educate our people about healthy living styles as a preventive measure to check the occurrence of diseases. Describing this project as a visionary and extra-ordinary benchmark, General Rodrigues said that the four remaining centers under this new mission to be set up at Maloya, Mauli Jagran, Ram Darbar and Sarangpur, will be commissioned within one month, after renovating the buildings and arranging necessary medical equipment.
He said that with the start of these centers, the complete rural population of the Union Territory will be provided quality healthcare services. General Rodrigues further suggested the need for instutionalizing correct physiotherapy treatment for the challenged children, with a follow up exercises support system in their homes. He also called for evolving a programme for extending physiotherapy exercises to the senior citizens, to keep them physically and mentally fit to contribute to the society. Suggesting the need to put in place a well-structured action plan for organizing and extending referral services to the needy patients in Government Hospitals, General Rodrigues called upon the medical professionals and social activists to give their time, expertise and commitment in this endeavour. He also emphasized the need for associating Rotary Clubs, Lions Club and other NGOs, having efficient appropriate mechanisms, for coordinating the activities in these rural healthcare centers.
He complemented Dr. (Brig.) M.L. Kataria and his team for their commitment and dedication in this innovative initiative. Dr. (Brig.) M.L. Kataria, Chairman of Healthcare India, in his welcome address said that his organization has associated eminent doctors, philanthropists and social activists in this rural healthcare programme and all services will be given free of cost. He said that the volunteers of his organization will continue to work with devotion, dedication and commitment for ensuring quality services to the poor and needy and give them full support in these hospitals. General Rodrigues also honoured eminent philanthropists and social activists for their contribution in this noble cause.