Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh Intensifies 'Har Shukarvaar Dengue Te Vaar' Campaign
In Chandigarh, Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh issued a directive on Friday, urging officials to transform the 'Har Shukarvaar Dengue Te Vaar' campaign into a widespread mass movement. He emphasized the critical need for active participation from students and teachers in identifying and eradicating mosquito breeding sites, including stagnant water in coolers, flower pots, and overhead tanks.
High-Level Task Force Meeting and Coordinated Response
During a high-level state task force meeting, chaired alongside Finance and Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Dr. Balbir Singh stressed the importance of a unified and coordinated approach to combat vector-borne, water-borne, and zoonotic diseases across Punjab. The minister highlighted that tackling diseases such as dengue, malaria, chikungunya, rabies, and leptospirosis requires a comprehensive 'One Health' strategy, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health measures.
Enhanced Diagnostic Infrastructure and Progress in Disease Control
Dr. Balbir Singh pointed out that Punjab has significantly strengthened its diagnostic capabilities. The state now offers free ELISA testing for dengue and chikungunya at 47 Sentinel Surveillance Hospitals and has extended malaria RDT and dengue testing to all Aam Aadmi Clinics. Reviewing departmental efforts, he commended the health department for its consistent work in reducing the dengue burden from 23,389 confirmed cases in 2021 to just 4,981 in 2025. Related deaths also saw a dramatic decline, dropping from 55 to only eight during the same period.
The minister attributed this significant reduction in mortality and morbidity to proactive house-to-house surveillance and the strategic deployment of 15 million visits during the last transmission season. He further noted a shift in dengue patterns, with nearly 42% of cases in 2025 reported from rural areas, necessitating a renewed focus on fogging, larvicidal spraying in village ponds, and the release of gambusia fish for mosquito control.
Addressing Zoonotic and Water-Borne Diseases
Expanding on zoonotic threats, Dr. Balbir Singh discussed the National Rabies Control Programme, noting that while anti-rabies vaccines are available at 746 government health facilities in Punjab, departments must accelerate the establishment of district-wise animal birth control facilities to achieve 70% herd immunity in the dog population. He also emphasized that the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme is now utilizing the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal for real-time outbreak reporting and called upon the Indian Medical Association to ensure private practitioners promptly report all notifiable diseases for timely state interventions.
Regarding water-borne diseases, the minister directed the local government and water supply departments to ensure 100% chlorination of drinking water and regular sampling, particularly in identified hotspots, to prevent outbreaks of hepatitis A, E, diarrhea, and cholera. He expressed concerns over a recent leptospirosis outbreak in Hazara Singh Wala village, district Ferozepur, announcing plans to visit the site with the deputy commissioner to address the causes and develop model Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for future disease outbreaks in Punjab.
Financial Support and Stakeholder Collaboration
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema assured that the finance department would provide all necessary support to sustain the downward trend in disease cases. He also highlighted directives to Punjab Roadways and PRTC workshops to ensure timely disposal of discarded tires and broken vehicle parts, which are known breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquito. Cheema urged all stakeholders to maintain momentum to achieve a disease-free Punjab by 2026.
