In a significant move towards age-specified healthcare, Punjab Governor and Chandigarh UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria has asked the health department to develop a specific medical policy for people above the age of 80. While addressing a function organised in the UT Secretariat, Kataria emphasized the provision of speedy and accessible healthcare services to senior citizens, particularly those who live alone.
Immediate Help for Seniors Living Alone
Above 80 years old citizens living alone should get immediate services in case of any trouble. Some volunteers should be there whom senior citizens can call in need of help, like medical aid, etcGulab Chand Kataria, Punjab Governor and Chandigarh UT Administrator
He suggested establishing a network of volunteers to offer immediate medical or personal support to the elderly. He further stated that such an action would bring dignity and security to elderly citizens and ensure that they are not left behind in the health agenda of the city.
Strengthening local health infrastructure
Kataria emphasized the need to upgrade the primary healthcare infrastructure to diminish pressure on big hospitals such as PGIMER and GMCH-32. He proposed the upgrade of the city's dispensaries and the Government Multi-Speciality Hospital, Sector 16 (GMSH-16), to meet the common day-to-day medical needs at the grassroots level.
Ayushman Bharat Health Workers felicitated
The event also commemorated the hard work of health workers who operate under the Ayushman Bharat program. Their tireless efforts in increasing quality healthcare services were valued and acknowledged by the government.
Visit to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs
Prior to the event, Kataria had called on the newly upgraded Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) centres at Maloya, Sector-35, Makhan Majra, and Raipur Kalan. The visits formed part of a larger national programme to upgrade the existing health and wellness centres into comprehensive care centres under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
On his visit, the administrator inspected the infrastructure, service delivery capacity and digital health integration of the centres. He was optimistic about the new role of AAMs in taking accessible healthcare to the doorsteps of the people.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Muhammad Faisal Arshad/MSM)