He highlighted the government’s initiatives, including the Farishtey Scheme, Sadak Surakhiya Force, and the recent addition of a new ambulance fleet to the health department, as significant strides towards achieving this goal.
Addressing the gathering during one-day workshop on “Emergency Care and Schemes for road accident victims in Punjab” organised by the Lead Agency on Road Safety “Punjab Road Safety Council” at MGSIPA, the cabinet minister said that the Punjab govt has been working intensively to reduce the death mortality rate in road accidents by 50% by 2025 and making every possible effort to achieve the goal.
Health minister and transport minister Laljit Singh Bhullar asked all districts’ administrative officials 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 govt 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% 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 govt and private hospitals are empanelled under the Farishtey Scheme, where complete treatment for road accident victims is free. He asked officials to increase awareness about this Farishtey 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 also 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 further strategy to reduce the mortality rate, he added. He also suggested ensuring periodic training for the Sadak Surakhiya Force.
Director general, lead agency R Venkat Ratnam stated that improving emergency care, ambulance systems and trauma care could reduce road accident mortality by up to 30% .
2-minute silence
During the event, Balbir Singh termed the rape and murder case in Kolkata as shameful and heart-wrenching, stating that the govt is committed to ensuring the safety of all doctors, especially female healthcare staff. All participants observed two-minute silence to pay tribute to the victim.
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