Two Minutes Silence observed for Kolkata victim
North News
Chandigarh, August 20
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh and Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar today asserted that the state government is committed to reducing road accident mortality rate and providing treatment during the crucial golden hours to save lives in the state, adding that ‘Farishtey Scheme’, ‘Sadak Surakhiya Force’ and the new addition of a fleet of ambulances to the Health Department are the significant steps taken in this direction.
Addressing gathering during one-day workshop on “Emergency Care and Schemes for road accident victims in Punjab” organized by the Lead Agency on Road Safety “Punjab Road Safety Council” at MGSIPA, both the Cabinet Ministers said that the Punjab government has been working intensively to reduce death mortality rate in road accidents by 50 percent by 2025 and making every possible effort to achieve this goal.
They asked the administrative officials of all districts to treat saving lives of road accident victims as a mission. If a needy victim or kin of any deceased person receives financial assistance under various government schemes, it can help the affected family become economically stronger to sustain their life, they added. Dr. Balbir Singh said that after the formation of the Sadak Surakhiya Force, the mortality rate in the state has decreased by 45 percent compared to the previous year. Referring to the Farishtey Scheme, he called upon state residents to come forward in large numbers to save the lives of road accident victims.
The Cabinet Minister said that over 500 government and private hospitals are empanelled under the Farishtey Scheme, where complete treatment for road accident victims is being provided free of cost. He asked officials to increase awareness about this Farishtay Scheme and involve NGOs. Advocating for implementation of road safety rules from the home, the Health Minister directed officials to ensure that all government vehicles are equipped with first-aid kits.
He asked the Director General, Punjab State Road Safety Council and ADGP, Punjab Traffic Police to compile separate data on mortality caused by vehicles in road accidents, hit-and-run cases and stray animals across the state. This data will help formulate the further strategy to reduce the mortality rate, he added. He also suggested ensuring periodic training for the Sadak Surakhiya Force.
During the event, Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh termed the rape and murder case in Kolkata as shameful and heart-wrenching, stating that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led government is committed to ensuring the safety of all doctors, especially female healthcare staff. All participants observed two minutes silence to pay tributes to the victim.
