Tripari dispensary to be upgraded as Health Centre

Chandigarh, July 12 (UNI) As a part of the Punjab government's campaign to modernise medical facilities throughout the state, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today ordered the upgradation of the Civil Dispensary, Tripari Town in Patiala district to 30-bedded Community Health Centre at a cost of Rs 2.15 crore.

An official spokesman said the campaign would be fuelled by liberal monetary inputs from the NRI Punjabis.

Although the upgradation of Tripari Dispensary in Patiala district was entirely a decision of the state government, the pro-active role played by prominent NRI and former legislator Surjit Singh Rakhra was merely a pointer in this direction, the spokesman said.

He said Mr Rakhra not only lobbied tirelessly for putting in place a modern medical facility in the pre-dominantly poor and middle class segment, inhabited largely by displaced persons from Pakistan, he also used the opportunity to get eminent Punjabis settled abroad to make commitments on future investments in health care in the state in Public Private partnership (PPP) mode.

The Spokesman said the Civil Dispensary of Tripari Town was constructed way back in 1956 and during the last 50 years, the population had since increased to approximately 1.5 lakh.

Of Rs 2.15 crore earmarked for its upgradation, Rs 1.75 crore would be spent on the construction and Rs 40 lakh for modern equipment.

The government had already given a sanction for the creation of additional posts in the dispensary at an expenditure of Rs 27.84 lakh per annum. The entire work of the construction of the Health Centre would be completed within 14 months.

UNI