SAS Nagar, Mohali, March 25: MLA Kulwant Singh of Mohali constituency raised the issue of staff shortage in dispensaries during the 8th (Budget) session of the 16th Punjab Assembly, urging the government to deploy permanent health workers in Sector-69 and village Saneta.
“A lot of money has been spent on these dispensaries, but they still lack the necessary health staff,” Singh said, adding that temporary appointments cannot ensure proper healthcare services.
Singh met Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh and informed him that patients were kept waiting until 9 AM due to the staff’s late arrival. In response, the minister noted that the MLA might have received incorrect information, claiming the staff arrived shortly afterward. Singh, however, insisted that the minister was misinformed.
The MLA also raised concerns over the pending construction of a dispensary in Sector-79, which began in 2021 but is only 40% complete. He asked the government to specify the fund release timeline.
Dr. Balbir Singh explained that construction stalled due to a dispute between the builder and the previous government but assured that the remaining work, estimated at Rs 151.03 lakh, would resume once funds are received.
“It will take about 12 months to complete the construction after the funds are issued,” he mentioned.
The minister further stated that temporary health staff had been deployed in the Sector-69 and Saneta dispensaries to address immediate needs but did not specify plans for permanent appointments.
