Chandigarh: In response to flood-like conditions across several districts, the Punjab government has activated an extensive health and emergency response mechanism under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh on Sunday announced that 438 Rapid Response Teams (RRTs), 323 Mobile Medical Teams, and 172 ambulances have been deployed to ensure timely medical aid in affected regions.
Sharing details at a press conference, Dr. Singh said the state was “fully prepared to meet any health emergency arising due to floods,” adding that priority was being given to reach every stranded individual.
He cited the example of Gurdaspur, where seven villages cut off by rising waters were provided medical assistance using boat ambulances. Eight pregnant women were rescued, one of whom delivered safely under medical supervision. Similar measures have been introduced in Firozpur’s flood-hit Kalu island.
Health camps in Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur have already treated 241 patients for diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, fever, skin allergies, and eye infections. Over 2,000 hospital beds have been readied across districts to tackle any epidemic.
Dr. Singh reassured citizens that while only sporadic water-borne cases have been detected, the state has adequate stocks of chlorine tablets, ORS, and essential medicines. He urged residents to drink boiled or chlorinated water, avoid stale food, and use the 104 toll-free helpline to report health issues.
The Health Department is coordinating with SDRF, NDRF, the Army, Red Cross, IMA, and NGOs for relief efforts in high-risk areas, including Firozpur, Fazilka, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, and Kapurthala.
Highlighting preventive measures, the minister noted that Punjab’s “Har Shukarvaar, Dengue Te Vaar” campaign had yielded positive results, with zero dengue deaths reported this year compared to 35–40 annually in the past. Diarrhoea outbreaks have also been contained to just three minor episodes.
“There is no shortage of medicines in any government health facility. Our teams are working round-the-clock, and we are confident Punjab is well-prepared to handle any medical emergency caused by floods,” Dr. Singh said.
