Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh has confirmed that the state is fully prepared to address the challenges posed by dengue, COVID-19, and the current heatwave. Dr. Singh visited Balongi, a semi-urban village near Mohali, as part of the 'Har Shukkarvaar, Dengue Te Vaar' campaign. During the visit, he educated residents on how common water containers can become breeding grounds for dengue mosquitoes.

He stressed that the health department is actively informing the public about preventive measures to reduce the risks of vector-borne diseases and health issues related to the weather.

Dr. Singh mentioned that diseases like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya can be prevented by emptying stagnant water weekly, especially on Fridays, to disrupt the mosquito breeding cycle. He highlighted that a small step like this can have a significant impact since dengue mosquitoes take seven days to mature from larvae to adults.

In recognition of the efforts in the field, Dr. Singh awarded cash prizes to ASHA workers Sompreet Kaur and Saroj for identifying mosquito larvae in a cooler tank. He shared that more than 50,000 field teams are deployed every Friday for door-to-door inspections and community awareness, including nursing students, health workers, and teachers.

Dr. Singh also mentioned the success of last year's campaign, which resulted in a 50% decrease in dengue cases. This year, the goal is to reduce dengue incidents by 80%, achievable with public cooperation.

Regarding the heatwaves, the minister advised residents to avoid outdoor activities between 12 pm and 3 pm, wear light-colored clothing, use wet cloths to cover the head, and stay hydrated with fluids like lemon water and saltwater to prevent dehydration.

On the COVID-19 front, Dr. Singh pointed out that while neighboring states have seen an increase in cases, Punjab has only reported 31 mild, asymptomatic infections. He clarified that the two COVID-related deaths involved patients with underlying health conditions and could not be definitively linked to the virus. Dr. Singh urged people to avoid enclosed gatherings and opt for well-ventilated spaces, assuring that the healthcare system is well-equipped with oxygen supplies, essential medications, and emergency beds.