Ludhiana, The Punjab government would formally launch the national urban health mission from Ludhiana on November 21.
Disclosing this today Health Minister Mr. Surjeet Kumar Jayani said that all cities with a population of 50,000 and above would be covered under the centrally sponsored scheme which was aimed at providing affordable quality health services to urban population with a special emphasis on urban poor and vulnerable population.
Adding further the Minister said that with the launch of NUHM, 78.83 lakh population (76%of total urban population) of the state including 35.96 lakh slum population and other vulnerable groups like rag pickers, rikshaw pullers, homeless and street children would derive the benefit across the state. Giving further details the Minister said that for slums with a population of around 1,500 to 2,000 people, one ASHA worker will be deputed; for every 10,000 people in cities, one Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) will be appointed. Furthermore, a primary health centre (PHC) will be set up to cater to every 50,000 people and a community health centre (CHC) will be set up for every 2.50 lakh persons in cities.
Mr. Jayani also said that more primary health centres and community health centres would be established next year. The NUHM would be implemented at the existent PHCs and CHCs from this financial year and that the present health centres would be upgraded for the purpose. He said that the state government was expecting an aid of Rs. 80 crores for the launch of NUHM in Punjab this year. He said six CHCs would be built in Ludhiana city next year. The entire project will cover 41 cities, including Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar.
Besides this one outreach camp per month in every slum will be conducted from November 21 where services of the specialists would be made available.