Punjab Health Minister Calls for Immediate Action on Congenital Hearing and Speech Disabilities
In a significant development for healthcare in Punjab, Dr Balbir Singh, the Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education and Research, has made a heartfelt appeal to parents. He urged those with children born with congenital hearing and speech disabilities to promptly visit Rajindra Hospital in Patiala for free-of-cost treatment. This appeal was delivered during his recent visit to the hospital, where he met with a four-year-old beneficiary of the first successful cochlear implant surgery performed at the institution.
Upgraded Facilities Enable Free Treatment
Dr Balbir Singh emphasized that while specialist doctors were already available at Rajindra Hospital, the lack of advanced equipment had previously posed challenges. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the government has prioritized filling these gaps. Essential equipment such as audiometry systems, para-medical support, speech therapists, and other technical infrastructure have been provided, enabling the hospital to offer cochlear implant surgery and related services at no cost.
The minister assured that no patient would be compelled to seek care at private hospitals or be referred to the Post Graduate Institute (PGI) due to shortages of ventilators or other technical facilities. He highlighted that ENT specialists at Rajindra Hospital are fully capable of treating congenital deaf-mute children, a service that typically costs between Rs 10 to 12 lakh in private settings.
Gratitude from Beneficiary Family
Paramjeet Kaur and Jasvir Das, parents of the beneficiary child Guneet Kaur from Kularan village near Samana, expressed profound gratitude. They thanked the Punjab government, CM Mann, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh, and the ENT department doctors at Rajindra Hospital. "Due to the government's efforts, our daughter has overcome the lifelong disability of being deaf-mute, giving her a bright future," they stated.
Broader Healthcare Initiatives in Punjab
Dr Balbir Singh also outlined broader healthcare advancements in government hospitals across Punjab. He mentioned that procedures such as liver and kidney transplants, as well as heart, brain, and spinal surgeries, are now being performed. Additionally, Rajindra Hospital is upgrading all its operation theatres into modular OTs and establishing a trauma centre, which the minister described as a key achievement of the Bhagwant Mann government.
The primary goal of the Punjab government, according to Dr Balbir Singh, is to ensure that all three crore citizens of the state receive high-quality healthcare services. He stressed that government hospitals should be on par with, or even surpass, private hospitals in terms of facilities and care.
This initiative marks a significant step towards inclusive and accessible healthcare in Punjab, offering hope to many families affected by congenital disabilities.
