Punjab Health and Family Welfare Department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to establish a state branch at the Community Health Centre (CHC) Manawala in the border district Amritsar.

State Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh said that the strengthening of the state’s public healthcare infrastructure is crucial in view of the increase in population, along with emerging and re-emerging communicable and infectious diseases. This will support the state in strengthening Integrated Disease Surveillance activities, as well as enhancing preparedness and rapid response to disasters and outbreaks like COVID.

Meanwhile, in a move to strengthen healthcare accessibility, particularly in rural and underserved areas, the state health department has launched 10 Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) to provide essential medical services at the doorsteps. These fully-equipped mobile vans have been allocated to Mansa and Bathinda districts, which will provide free medical consultations with doctors, 40 types of diagnostic tests, 220 types of free medicines, specialised health awareness camps, and home visits for patients unable to reach healthcare facilities.