Punjab Flood Relief: Mann Government Focuses on Maternal Care Amid Crisis

National News: Punjab is reeling under one of its most devastating floods in decades, leaving countless families displaced and in distress. In this difficult time, the Mann Government has stepped up with a people-first approach, prioritizing not only rescue and relief but also the healthcare needs of women—especially pregnant mothers.

Special Directives for Women’s Healthcare

From the very beginning of the crisis, the government issued special directives to ensure women received essential care. Volunteers from the Aam Aadmi Party’s youth and women’s wings were deployed to the worst-hit districts, including Nabha, Pathankot, and Gurdaspur, distributing relief materials such as rations, sanitary pads, and mosquito nets. Relief camps in Ferozepur and Fazilka were set up to provide a safe haven for affected families, with dedicated support for women and children.

ASHA Workers on the Frontlines

To combat the rising risk of waterborne and vector-borne diseases, over 11,100 ASHA workers were sent into flood-hit villages. They are going door-to-door providing medicines, health check-ups, and awareness sessions, while carefully monitoring the health of pregnant women and ensuring that routine immunization programs are not disrupted.

Rapid Response Teams and Boat Ambulances Deployed

The government has mobilized 458 Rapid Response Teams, 360 Mobile Medical Units, and 424 ambulances, even introducing boat ambulances to reach marooned villages. In Gurdaspur, a boat ambulance and a helicopter were deployed to rescue pregnant women and critically ill patients. These efforts led to the safe rescue of eight pregnant women, with one mother giving birth under medical supervision aboard a boat.

Top Priority on Maternal Health

Civil Surgeon Dr. Rajwinder Kaur shared that Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh had instructed the department to give top priority to maternal health. Acting swiftly, medical teams rescued Manjeet Kaur from Tendi Wala and Manpreet Kaur from Kalu Wala, ensuring safe deliveries at the Civil Hospital. The 108 free ambulance service was also made available to pregnant women round the clock.

Safe Deliveries Amid Crisis

In total, 45 pregnant women were identified in the flood-hit villages along the Sutlej river. Of these, four deliveries were recorded last week—three in government hospitals and one in a private hospital.

Humanity Before Politics

These comprehensive measures reflect the Mann Government’s commitment to saving lives and preserving dignity, even amidst disaster. By providing prenatal care, safe deliveries, and essential hygiene products, the government has shown that humanity comes before politics.

As an AAP volunteer aptly said, “No kitchen will be left without food, and no woman will be left without the essentials she needs.”

This approach has not only brought relief to flood-affected families but also set a precedent for gender-sensitive disaster management in Punjab.