Punjab: Major medical colleges to be upgraded, CM Bhagwant Mann orders release of Rs 68.98 crore:

News Topical, Digital Desk : To provide standard treatment and medical testing facilities to the people in medical colleges in Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has ordered immediate release of funds worth Rs 68.98 crore for the revamp of the major medical colleges of the state.

While presiding over the review meeting of the Medical Education and Research Department here today, the Chief Minister said that it was the need of the hour to expand these facilities in these medical colleges of Punjab so that people could be ensured better treatment as well as facilities for medical tests.

He said that it is essential to equip these medical colleges with state-of-the-art, world-class machinery to better serve patients. Bhagwant Singh Mann directed the Medical Education Department to immediately release ₹68.98 crore to upgrade facilities in these medical colleges.

The Chief Minister said that Rs 26.53 crore should be immediately released for Government Medical College, Amritsar, Rs 28.51 crore for Government Medical College, Patiala, Rs 9.43 crore for Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Institute of Medical Sciences, SAS Nagar (Mohali), and Rs 4.51 crore for PGI Satellite Centre, Ferozepur.

CM Mann urged that these funds be used to purchase modern machinery and other equipment, as well as for development work in medical colleges. Bhagwant Singh Mann reiterated that his government is committed to making Punjab a global hub for medical education. He said this will further strengthen treatment and medical testing facilities.

The Chief Minister urged that this work in medical colleges be completed in a timely and appropriate manner so that people have access to affordable medical facilities. He noted that Punjab has a history of producing world-class doctors, and even today, a large number of students in the state are pursuing medical education to become doctors. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is the state government's duty to provide quality education in these medical colleges so that students can benefit on a large scale.

The Chief Minister stated that the sole objective of revamping these medical colleges is to ensure people's access to quality healthcare. He added that providing quality healthcare services in these premier colleges will ensure the well-being of the common man. Bhagwant Singh Mann reiterated that the state government is committed to this public welfare initiative and will make every effort to achieve it.

Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha, Additional Chief Secretary Alok Shekhar, Principal Secretary Health Kumar Rahul, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. Ravi Bhagat and others were present on the occasion.