Punjab government has sanctioned Rs 102 crore to equip 22 district hospitals, 41 sub-divisional hospitals and 37 community health centres with latest medical and diagnostic facilities to strengthen the state’s health care network.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal approved a plan of Rs 102 crore to complete the residual works in this regard within the next three months, an official spokesperson on Sunday said.

Badal was presiding over a high-level meeting in Chandigarh which was attended by Health & Family Welfare Minister Madan Mohan Mittal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu, Advisor on Health & Medical Education Dr K K Talwar, renowned doctors and other senior officials.

Directing the health department to expedite the process of filling up all vacant posts and ensure availability of specialist doctors and other paramedical staff in all hospitals in a time bound manner, the Chief Minister approved 200 additional posts against those doctors, who had proceeded for higher studies.

He asked the department to chalk out plans for establishing separate hospitals or wings for Mother and Child care and also issued directions to create a system under which, every newborn is provided intensive health care for the crucial first month, even after being discharged from hospitals.