Punjab Government Recognizes Medical Excellence on National Doctors' Day
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh conferred state-level awards upon 59 outstanding doctors from both government and private sectors during the State Level Doctors' Award Ceremony held at Municipal Bhawan in Chandigarh on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The event marked the observance of National Doctors' Day.
Dr Balbir Singh stated that the awards are part of an institutionalized, merit-based policy designed to recognize top-performing physicians. Recipients from the State Health Department, Government Medical Colleges, and the private sector received a certificate of honour and a memento.
Special Recognition for Pioneering Medical Leaders
During the ceremony, the Health Minister specifically highlighted the contributions of Dr Virendra Singh, Director of the Punjab Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (PILBS). Dr Balbir Singh noted that a building originally intended as a Community Health Centre now houses PILBS, where the first successful liver transplant has been performed. He added that the institute is preparing to conduct kidney transplants in the near future.
The minister also praised Dr Ashish Gulia, Director of Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital, for elevating cancer care standards in Punjab and for his dedicated efforts in cancer prevention through early diagnosis.
Life-Saving Hub-and-Spoke Projects Lauded
Dr Balbir Singh acclaimed renowned cardiologist Dr Bishav Mohan and neurologist Dr Jeyaraj D Pandian for successfully managing hub-and-spoke-based projects—STEMI and STROKE, respectively—which have saved thousands of lives across Punjab.
The Punjab STEMI Project, operating on a Hub and Spoke model, focuses on delivering timely and effective treatment for STEMI (heart attack) patients, with primary emphasis on thrombolysis. Under this initiative, the Tenecteplase injection—which dissolves blood clots in the heart and typically costs between Rs 25,000 and Rs 35,000—is provided completely free of charge to patients.
Similarly, the Punjab Stroke Project offers free mechanical thrombectomy to ischemic stroke patients. This project also uses a Hub and Spoke model, with CMC Ludhiana serving as the central hub and three district hospitals functioning as spokes.
Doctors Hailed as Global Role Models
Lauding the entire medical fraternity, Dr Balbir Singh described doctors as global role models. He emphasized that regardless of the adversity—whether floods, Covid-19, or any other disaster—doctors remain at the frontline to serve the people. He thanked them for treating every patient with love and care, even during the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Balbir Singh also announced that the Punjab Government will soon organize a function to honour the dedicated frontline services of ASHA workers, para-medical staff, pharmaceutical personnel, and other healthcare providers in the state.
