Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh on Tuesday inaugurated a two-day capacity-building training programme for newly promoted Senior Medical Officers (SMOs), underlining their crucial role in strengthening public healthcare delivery at the district and block levels.
Congratulating the officers on their promotions, the Minister said the programme has been specially designed to enhance their administrative, managerial and implementation skills so they can effectively shoulder their new responsibilities. He stressed that the success of the state’s flagship healthcare initiatives largely depends on strong leadership, supervision and dedication at the field level.
Balbir Singh Directs SMOs to Ensure Full MMSY Implementation
Dr. Balbir Singh directed the SMOs to ensure effective implementation of key schemes, including the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY). He instructed them to closely monitor progress by achieving 100 percent beneficiary enrolment and timely generation of health cards. He also encouraged officers to optimally utilise MMSY funds for strengthening healthcare infrastructure at the local level.
Emphasising improved service delivery, the Minister asked SMOs to ensure uninterrupted availability of medicines and diagnostic services at Aam Aadmi Clinics and to oversee the operationalisation of new facilities. He further tasked them with strengthening de-addiction services and closely monitoring Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) clinics under the state’s anti-drug campaign, Yudh Nashian Virudh.
ਅੱਜ ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ ਵਿਖੇ ਸਿਹਤ ਵਿਭਾਗ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਵੇਂ ਪ੍ਰਮੋਟ ਕੀਤੇ ਗਏ ਸੀਨੀਅਰ ਮੈਡੀਕਲ ਅਫਸਰਾਂ ਲਈ ਕਰਵਾਈ ਗਈ ਦੋ ਰੋਜ਼ਾ ਕਪੈਸਿਟੀ ਬਿਲਡਿੰਗ ਵਰਕਸ਼ਾਪ ਦੇ ਪਹਿਲੇ ਦਿਨ ਸ਼ਿਰਕਤ ਕਰਕੇ ਵੱਖ-ਵੱਖ ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਆਏ ਡਾਕਟਰਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਸੰਵਾਦ ਕੀਤਾ। ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਸਿਹਤ ਢਾਂਚੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਧ ਚੜ੍ਹ ਕੇ ਯੋਗਦਾਨ ਪਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਪ੍ਰੇਰਿਤ ਕੀਤਾ।ਮਾਨ ਸਰਕਾਰ… pic.twitter.com/VazU1xdIRN
— Dr Balbir Singh (@AAPbalbir) February 24, 2026
Highlighting the Free Medicines initiative, Dr. Balbir Singh mandated 100 percent availability of essential medicines and transparent stock management systems to prevent shortages. He also directed SMOs to rigorously supervise the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Screening Programme for individuals above 30 years of age, focusing on hypertension, diabetes and cancer screening.
In addition, he called for strict monitoring of case detection and treatment adherence under the ongoing TB Mukt Abhiyan 100-day campaign to eliminate tuberculosis.
Sharing an experience from his own medical career, Dr. Balbir Singh recalled that during his tenure at CHC Kauli in Patiala district, local residents had approached senior leaders to stop his transfer due to his service to the community. He urged the newly promoted officers to work with similar dedication and commitment toward public service.
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The Minister Balbir Singh also emphasised ethical medical practice, compassion, empathy and community engagement, stating that even small gestures can significantly impact patient care. He encouraged officers to work with accountability and dedication to realise the vision of a healthy, drug-free and empowered Punjab — a truly “Sehatmand and Rangla Punjab.”
Director Health and Family Welfare Dr. Hitinder Kaur and Director Health Services (Family Welfare) Dr. Aditi Salaria also addressed the participants and motivated them to perform their duties efficiently.
The training sessions are being conducted by Programme Officer (Training) Dr. Parvinder Kaur along with other state programme officers, who will provide detailed guidance on the effective implementation of various health programmes.