Jalandhar: Health department employees on alert before Diwali

Jalandhar: To further improve the quality of healthcare services in the district, Civil Surgeon Dr. Rajesh Garg held a meeting with all program officers and senior medical officers (SMOs) at the Civil Surgeon’s office on Thursday. Presiding over the meeting, Dr. Garg emphasized the need for compassion and empathy in dealing with patients and their families. He also reviewed the progress of various health schemes and programs being implemented in the district, including services provided through Aam Aadmi Clinics. He emphasized that public health must remain a top priority. In view of the Diwali festival, the Civil Surgeon directed all SMOs to keep emergency health services on alert to deal with any untoward incident. He highlighted the increased risk of eye injuries during Diwali and directed that emergency facilities be ensured in all health institutions across the district. Dr. Garg called for the preparation of a rotational duty roster for eye surgeons and directed that adequate stock of medicines be maintained to treat minor eye injuries. He also directed that eye injury reports be properly completed and sent to headquarters by Diwali. He also emphasized the need to timely update daily reports related to the 60-day Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign launched by the government on October 9, 2025. The Civil Surgeon further directed that all health centers be fully equipped with uninterrupted power, oxygen supply, and essential medicines. He reiterated the need for effective implementation of national health programs without any negligence. Dr. Garg also emphasized the importance of a compassionate approach by health workers, especially towards the elderly, pregnant women, and patients with serious illnesses. He urged staff to prioritize these groups and ensure that patients receive all necessary medications. He stated that regular supervision and daily monitoring should be conducted to ensure effective service delivery.