THE NEWS FREEDOM
CHANDIGARH/MOHALI/PATIALA, FEBRUARY 14
Punjab’s Health Minister, Dr. Balbir Singh, on Wednesday said that the state government stands firmly with protesting farmers, affirming its commitment to cover all medical expenses for injured individuals amidst the ongoing demonstrations. Dr. Balbir Singh conducted a rapid assessment of various government health facilities near the Haryana border to assess the condition of farmers, journalists, and police personnel injured during the recent police intervention aimed at deterring farmers from entering the state.
During his tour, he visited Dr. B R Ambedkar State Institute for Medical Sciences (AIMS) in Mohali, CHC Banur, Civil Hospital Rajpura, and Rajindra Hospital Patiala. Dr. Balbir Singh emphasized that hospitals near the Haryana border are on high alert to ensure the safety of protesting farmers, with round-the-clock emergency services provided. He assured that there is an ample supply of doctors in government health facilities, with instructions for medical staff to remain on standby, and an intensified deployment of ambulances along the border.
Noting that 40 injured individuals, including two with serious head injuries, were admitted to Civil Hospital Rajpura, he reiterated the Punjab government’s commitment to providing free medical assistance to those injured during the protests. Dr. Balbir Singh condemned the Haryana government’s actions, labeling them as unconstitutional and illegal, stating that the farmers were peacefully exercising their right to protest as they traveled towards Delhi.
He urged the BJP-led Haryana government to allow farmers to reach the national capital peacefully to voice their grievances. Additionally, during his visit to AIMS Mohali, the Health Minister assessed emergency medical services and instructed officials to enhance these services to prevent referrals to other medical facilities for further care.
In addition to it, in a press release issued in the evening Punjab’s Agricultural and Farmers Welfare Minister, Gurmeet Singh Khudian, launched a scathing attack against the Central government accusing it of neglecting the demands and vital issues confronting agrarian communities nationwide. Khudian vehemently condemned the Centre’s indifference towards the ongoing farmer protests, denouncing it as disrespectful and undemocratic.