No medical camps without approval of civil surgeons: Health minister

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government, on Friday, banned holding of health camps without prior approval of civil surgeons. The move comes in the wake of around 40 people losing their vision after eye operations in Amritsar and Gurdaspur.

Taking note of unrecognized NGOs holding health camps without informing the administration and the health department, Punjab health and family welfare minister Surjit Kumar Jayani forbade all civil surgeons from allowing camps without enough medical specialists.

Jayani, who is in Jammu on election tour, apprised Union health minister JP Nadda of the situation and the minister assured support in looking after patients who lost their vision. According to Jayani, Nadda said the Punjab health department could refer patients to AIIMS, New Delhi and PGIMER, Chandigarh, if required.

He has also asked civil surgeons of Amritsar and Gurdaspur to provide all necessary help to patients admitted in government hospitals. Jayani said patients admitted in Government Medical College and Hospital, Amritsar will be treated free of cost.