Dr Rai and team takes around 280 samples of which 11 were tested positive for the COVID-19
MANSA, April 22, 2020: Ears, Nose and Throat (ENT) Specialist Dr Ranjit Singh Rai, who was chosen for the `Honour and Disc’ by the Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) for his significant role in contact tracing as well as a quick sampling of COVID-19 in Budhlada, has become the first doctor in Punjab to receive this coveted honour. Dr Rai, 50, has been serving as a medical officer in Police Lines Mansa besides he is also an officiating Deputy Medical Commissioner (DMC).
During the interaction, Dr Rai said that all credit goes to the District Administration led by Deputy Commissioner Gurpal Singh Chahal, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr Narinder Bhargav, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Lal Chand and his entire team, who have cooperated him at every step.
As per the information, the single team of Dr Rai comprising of Epidemiologist Dr Santosh Bharti, Dr Arshdeep and Dr Vishavdeep had taken as many as 280 samples of which 11 were tested positive for the COVID-19 since April 02.
Dr Rai along with Dr Bharti, Social Activist Gurlabh Singh Mahal and ASI Balwant Singh had also initiated a campaign to aware people about the Coronavirus disease in beginning of the March. They had organised around 50 awareness camps including in parks, gyms, IELTS institutes, Schools, Colleges and Police Stations etc and spread awareness among people to maintain social distancing, wear masks, sanitise and wash hands frequently.
“Mansa would be the first district to have started the awareness campaign regarding the COVID-19 when it was only outbroken in countries like China or Italy,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner Gurpal Singh Chahal congratulated Dr Rai for his tremendous work in quick sampling and contact tracing of suspected COVID-19 people in Budhlada.
SSP Dr Narinder Bhargav said that besides playing a crucial role in sampling, Dr Rai was the first to commence the awareness campaign regarding Coronavirus disease in the district. He said that as Dr Rai is a Police Doctor, the Mansa police has recommended for the honour, which was recognised by the Punjab Director General of Police (DGP).
Meanwhile, the entire 15-member team of the PGIMER that performed the plastic surgery on ASI Harjeet Singh, who lost his hand in the Patiala Mandi attack, has also been chosen for the ` DGP Honour for Exemplary Sewa to Society.