The health department in Ludhiana navigated a complex year in 2025, marked by fluctuating trends in vector-borne diseases, persistent concerns over food safety, and critical scrutiny of hospital infrastructure. While dengue cases showed a marginal decline, malaria infections hit a 12-year high, and the district grappled with a mid-year Covid-19 spike.
Vector-Borne Diseases: A Mixed Picture
Official data reveals that Ludhiana reported 539 dengue cases in 2025, a slight increase from the 474 cases recorded the previous year. Civil Surgeon Dr. Ramandeep Kaur credited extensive preventive measures for preventing a larger outbreak. However, the district witnessed an alarming rise in malaria, with 128 cases reported in 2025, the highest tally in over a decade. Dr. Kaur attributed this sharp increase to enhanced and more widespread testing across the district.
Adding to the challenges, Covid-19 cases spiked in early June. The positivity rate jumped to 7.14%, nearly twelve times the rate seen in May, marking the highest monthly figure for the year. By June 21, the district had recorded its third virus-related death, prompting health authorities to ramp up testing and preparedness protocols.
Infrastructure, Negligence, and Food Safety Failures
The year brought both progress and setbacks on the infrastructure front. In a positive development, the newly built modular operation theatre at Lord Mahavir Civil Hospital became fully functional in March, enhancing surgical facilities for patients. However, serious concerns emerged later. The Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) sought an urgent explanation from the Ludhiana civil surgeon after allegations surfaced that the city's main civil hospital blood bank had operated for nearly three years without a valid licence or a designated Blood Transfusion Officer (BTO). The commission acted on a complaint filed by social activist Arvind Sharma in August.
Further, on October 31, the Punjab State and Chandigarh (UT) Human Rights Commission directed the health department to examine claims that two oxygen plants at the civil hospital were non-operational. Dr. Kaur later clarified that the blood bank now holds a valid licence, a BTO has been deputed, and both oxygen plants are functional, with over 400 oxygen cylinders in reserve.
In a case of medical negligence, Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh ordered the suspension of a gynaecologist at Khanna Civil Hospital in July following lapses in a delivery case. Around the same time, a damning health department report showed that over 20% of food samples collected between January and June failed quality tests, with most violations linked to milk and dairy products. The district also dealt with a localised outbreak of gastroenteritis in Neechi Mangli in September, where 10 cases were reported within three days, prompting swift containment action.
Roadmap for 2026: Focus on Completion and Care
Looking ahead, Civil Surgeon Dr. Ramandeep Kaur outlined the department's priorities for the coming year. The focus for 2026 will be on completing pending projects, inaugurating new Aam Aadmi Clinics and Health Wellness Centres, and broadly improving patient care facilities across the Ludhiana district. This plan aims to address systemic gaps while building on the preventive healthcare framework.
