Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday inaugurated the Sant Attar Singh Ji Maharaj Hospital in Cheema village, marking an expansion of grassroots healthcare infrastructure. The 30-bed facility, built at a cost of Rs 11.70 crore, is set to benefit around 50,000 people across 15 villages, while also strengthening access to treatment for nearly 35,000 - 40,000 residents in nearby areas.
During his visit, the Chief Minister interacted with patients and reviewed facilities at the hospital. Highlighting the improvement, he said that earlier, due to lack of facilities, patients were referred to Sangrur, Patiala and Ludhiana, but will now receive treatment locally.
The hospital is equipped with modern machines and includes dedicated emergency and mother-child wards. It also offers services such as paediatric care, ENT and dental treatment, free maternal and child healthcare, X-ray and blood test facilities, and treatment for patients seeking de-addiction services.
Speaking about the facility, Mann said, “Today, the Community Health Center has been inaugurated at the birthplace of Sant Attar Singh Ji Maharaj in village Cheema. Sant Attar Singh Ji Maharaj made significant contributions in the fields of education and social service and in his honor this Community Health Center has been named after him. This center will have a capacity of 30 beds and an expenditure of Rs 11.75 crore has been incurred on this project.”
He added, “This center was originally established in 1975 with a capacity of 10 beds and later its capacity was increased to 20 beds, and now it has been expanded to 30 beds. This center will prove to be a boon for around 50,000 people as emergency and specialized medical services will be available. Victims of road accidents and patients with serious illnesses will receive emergency care and surgical procedures will also be conducted here.”
The Chief Minister also said, “The work on the medical college in the name of Sant Baba Attar Singh will also be started soon and the state government has already finalised arrangements for it. The sole motive is to give fillip to medical education in the region and ensure quality health facilities to the people. The state government will not leave any stone unturned for accomplishing this project on war footing.”
Addressing the issue of drug abuse, Mann said, “It is irrational and illogical as one drug cannot replace another. Rather this malady should be removed by channelizing the unbounded energy of the youth in a positive manner. The state government has already started a number of initiatives to make Punjab drug free.”
He added, “The Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign has already broken the backbone of the drug trade in the state. The supply line of the drugs has been snapped, drug smugglers have been put behind bars and their properties have been confiscated. The AAP government will soon embark on a campaign to felicitate the brave hearts who have given vital information against the drug smugglers.”
Outlining broader governance measures, Mann said, “The AAP government has taken path breaking initiatives in every sector due to which complete transformation has been witnessed in these arenas. The tax money of people belongs to the state and they are judiciously spending it on the welfare of people. People’s money is coming back to people through development, schools, hospitals, and roads. The state government has provided free electricity to 90% of households, jobs to over 65,000 youth without corruption, improved roads, closed toll plazas saving Rs 70 lakh daily, and is building infrastructure.”
Cabinet Minister and local MLA Aman Arora and Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh were also present on the occasion.
