Mohali -MLA Kulwant Singh said today that he would request Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to provide an additional Rs 4–5 crore for the hospital and assured that there would be no shortage of funds for the facility.
Speaking to mediapersons at the Autism Centre in Sector 79, he said the centre was the first of its kind in the country where children receive treatment for autism. Six rooms each for boys and girls have now been prepared, while arrangements are also being made to accommodate their parents at the centre in the future.
Kulwant Singh said service was paramount in the medical profession and that after God, the doctor was the next name that came to mind, as doctors give patients a new lease of life.
He expressed gratitude to Dr Parminder Singh, Dr Nidhi, Dr Chhaya, SMO Dr Parminder Singh and retired SMO Dr Cheema for devoting their time to running the centre. He said the team of doctors, in collaboration with social organisations, had worked to put the hospital on the right track.
He said 240 children were currently undergoing treatment at the centre and that the treatment was long-term and continuous. More than 3, 000 therapy sessions have been conducted so far, while 25 to 30 families visit the centre every day.
“I pray to God that these children recover at the earliest. I also pray that God gives the team of doctors the strength and courage to treat them properly, ” he said.
Kulwant Singh said the team of doctors had made a good beginning and, by taking a personal interest, had worked on the project as a mission, bringing it to its present stage.
It is pertinent to mention that Janta Land Promoters Private Limited, a company associated with MLA Kulwant Singh, has already contributed Rs 1 crore towards the centre. Kulwant Singh assured that he would soon approach Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for an additional Rs 4–5 crore to meet other requirements of the centre.
Dr Parminder Singh, SMO; Dr Navdeep Saini, Principal, Medical College; Dr Nidhi Malhotra, Head Psychiatrist and In-charge of the Autism Centre; Dr Chhaya Prashad, Senior Paediatrician; Mohali Municipal Corporation Deputy Mayor Harpal Singh Channa; Randeep Singh; and Harmesh Singh Kumbra were also present.