Strengthening ties between India and Pakistan via medical fraternity

by Punjabnewswire4u

BADAL (SRI MIKTSAR SAHIB), SEPT 23

            Lauding the step of eminent Pakistani doctors to visit the Mega Medical camp organized by the state government here today for free treatment of the patients, Punjab Governor Mr Shivraj V Patil today said that such initiatives would play a pivotal role in further strengthening the ties between India and Pakistan besides promoting mutual co-operation and people to people contact.

            Addressing a massive gathering after inaugurating a two days Mega Medical camp, Mr Patil said that frequent visits of the medical fraternity of both the countries would not only upgrade their medical and diagnostic skills but would also go a long way in providing quality health care facilities to the people of the Sub Continent. The Governor said that though trade between both the countries besides exchange of education and science could provide a major fillip in heralding a new era of mutual co-operation and trust between India and Pakistan but if the doctors across the border visits each other’s country to serve the people then it would be a welcome step as a feeling of gratitude and magnanimity would be developed amongst the people towards these doctors. Emphasizing the need of cordial ties between both the countries he said that people across the border would be immensely benefitted from such gestures, in which organizations like SAARC could play a vital role.

            Appreciating the step of Punjab government to hold such mega medical camps, the Governor said that this move by Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal would immensely benefit the poor stratum of the society as they would get the quality health care services at their door steps. Mr Patil said that these Mega Health camps which would be organized across the state would help the state in timely detecting the patients of fatal diseases like cancer thereby paving way for their effective treatment. He laid stress that the state government should also organize awareness camps in all the districts to educate the people about the importance of early diagnose of these deadly diseases, so that they could be detected at early stage. The Governor also said that the presence of eminent doctors of the country in this mega camp reflected the consensus and unity of the nation to fight against the menace of diseases for building a strong and progressive India.

            Earlier during his address, the Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal while welcoming the Governor Mr Shivraj V Patil in the camp said that this camp organized on the lines of ‘Sangat Darshan’ program would revolutionize the Heath care sector of the state by facilitating the people to avail quality Health care facilities under one roof, that too without spending any money. Terming it as a dream come true, Mr Badal said that knowing well the general tendency of the people of Punjab to conceal their ailments by avoiding medical tests, which were generally very costly, he always wanted that such camps should be organized in the state for diagnosing them. He said that this mega camp would prove to be stepping stone in providing quality health care services to the people as such camps would be replicated in all the districts of the state thereby virtually bringing the quality medical services at the doorsteps of people.

            Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to eradicate cancer from Punjab, the Chief Minister said that a massive infra structure coupled with quality health care services were in pipeline to provide much needed relief to the cancer patients. He said that the state government has already initiated the process of strengthening the medical colleges of the state and existing infra structure of the Hospital to combat this deadly disease. Likewise Mr Badal said that in another important initiative the state government has already enhanced the sum reserved for giving relief to the cancer patients, so that poor cancer patients could be provided adequate financial help to get quality treatment. He also said that the state government would also provide subsidized medicines to the cancer patients so as to check this disease in an effective manner.

            Thanking more than 300 doctors who participated in camp for treating the people, the Chief Minister urged every doctor of the state to spare atleast one day from their busy routine for treating the patients free of cost in such medical camps. He said that such initiatives by the doctors would go a long way making Punjab a healthy and prosperous state. The Chief Minister especially thanked the doctors who had came all the way from Pakistan to treat people in this camp and said that medical fraternity of both India and Pakistan should frequently visit each other’s country for treating the poor people, so as to develop a feeling of belongingness amongst both the countries. Recalling his old memories of student life associated with Lahore, Mr Badal said that he really cherishes to visit the city and relish the mouth watering food of that city.

            Expressing gratitude towards the Governor and Chief Minister for organizing such a mega medical camp, Lok Sabha MP Mrs Harsimrat Kaur Badal in her address said that widening the scope of this unique initiative to provide the best health care facilities to the people was the need of the hour and it would be instrumental in delivering quality Health and medical services to the people, even in far flung areas of the state. She said that this pro-poor initiative of the state government in which more than 300 Doctors along with 500 para medical staff were giving free medical treatment to the people for major ailments really deserves applause. Mrs Badal further said that the SAD-BJP government was committed for the welfare and overall development of the state adding that due to the stupendous efforts of the Chief Minister, Punjab would witness five times more overall development in the coming years.

            On the occasion the Chief Minister also honored Mr Shivraj V Patil by presenting him a sword, a shawl and a silver plaque. Mr Badal also presented token of gratitude to eminent Doctors including three from Pakistan by honoring them for their valuable services rendered in the camp.

            Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Cabinet Ministers Mr Chunni Lal Bhagat and Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Mrs Mohinder Kaur Josh and Mrs Navjot Kaur Sidhu, MLA Mr Harpreet Singh, Political Secretary to the Chief Minister Major Bhupinder Singh Dhillon, Principal Secretary Health Mrs Vinnie Mahajan, Principal Secretary Medical Education Mrs Anjali Bhanwra and Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr KJS Cheema.