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Chandigarh, July 2
Punjab Health Minister, Dr Balbir Singh, on Thursday honoured 59 doctors from government hospitals, medical colleges and the private sector for their outstanding contribution to healthcare, marking National Doctors’ Day with a state-level awards ceremony.
The awards introduced under a new Punjab government policy, recognise exceptional service by doctors across the state’s public and private healthcare systems. Each recipient received a certificate of honour and a commemorative memento.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Health Minister praised doctors for standing by patients during some of the state’s most difficult moments, from the COVID-19 pandemic to natural disasters.
“Doctors are always on the frontline and serving people with dedication and compassion,” he said, thanking the medical fraternity for treating patients with care even under the most challenging circumstances.
The minister highlighted the work of Dr Virendra Singh, Director of the Punjab Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (PILBS), saying the institute had evolved from a building originally planned as a community health centre into a specialised liver care facility. Sharing details, the minister said that the institute had successfully carried out its first liver transplant and was preparing to perform kidney transplants in the near future and expanding access to advanced treatment within Punjab.
Dr Balbir Singh also commended Dr Ashish Gulia, Director of the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital, for strengthening cancer care in the state and promoting early diagnosis to improve survival rates.
He praised cardiologist Dr Bishav Mohan and neurologist Dr Jeyaraj D Pandian for leading the Punjab STEMI and Stroke projects, which use a hub-and-spoke model to provide faster treatment for patients suffering heart attacks and strokes.
Under the Punjab STEMI Project, patients receive the clot-busting drug Tenecteplase free of charge. The injection, which can cost between ₹25,000 and ₹35,000, is used to restore blood flow during severe heart attacks.
The Punjab Stroke Project offers free mechanical thrombectomy for eligible patients with ischaemic stroke through a network led by Christian Medical College (CMC), Ludhiana, and supported by district hospitals.
Dr Singh said the state government remained committed to improving public healthcare so that treatment at government hospitals matches the standards available in private institutions.
He added that quality healthcare should not depend on a person’s financial situation and described it as a basic right for every citizen, particularly those from economically weaker sections.
