Dr. Balbir Singh Appeals to Village Health Committees to Take Charge of “Har Shukarvar Dengue Te Vaar”

Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh today led an awareness drive under the state-level campaign “Har Shukarvar Dengue Te Vaar” in village Barmajra, near Mohali. As part of the initiative, the Minister conducted door-to-door visits to educate residents about preventive measures against dengue fever and the importance of destroying mosquito breeding grounds.

Addressing villagers, Dr. Balbir Singh appealed to Village Health Committees to take proactive responsibility in protecting communities from dengue, chikungunya, and malaria. He emphasized that the Aedes mosquito, which spreads dengue, breeds in clean stagnant water, and that draining such water once a week can effectively halt its lifecycle.

He urged residents to regularly clean and empty water containers such as coolers, refrigerator trays, and flower pots, especially every Friday, to prevent mosquito breeding. “If every household empties stagnant clean water once a week, we can prevent the spread of dengue not just in our homes, but across our communities,” he said.

The Minister explained that Village Health Committees, which include panchayat members, school teachers, Anganwadi workers, and ASHA workers, are instrumental in spreading awareness. He also shared that he personally visits different villages every Friday to motivate people to participate in the campaign.

Before presiding over a meeting with the Village Health Committee at Government School Barmajra, Dr. Balbir Singh launched the state-level campaign, “Har Shukarvar, Village Health Committees Karangein Dengue Te Vaar,” and released awareness posters for public dissemination. During an interaction with school students, the Minister stressed the importance of personal hygiene and nutrition. 

He advised students to wash hands before eating, maintain dental and eye hygiene, and eat nutritious food. He also directed school staff to remain alert to students’ health, encouraging them to inform health teams during routine check-ups if any child shows symptoms of illness. Dr. Balbir Singh further encouraged schools to plant indigenous and fruit-bearing trees, to instill a love for nature in students and provide access to healthy, homegrown fruits.

Among the prominent Persons present, included Director Health and Family Welfare Dr. Hitinder Kaur, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development) Sonam Chaudhary, SDM Mohali Damandeep Kaur, Civil Surgeon Dr. Sangeeta Jain, State Nodal Officer Dr. Arshdeep Kaur, District Epidemiologist Dr. Anamika.