Patiala/Sangrur, April 13 -- In the first such move, the Punjab health department has roped in a private trust to run the Community Health Centre (CHC) at Lehragaga, citing challenges in running the facility.

The private body, Janhit Trust, has already installed its board on the building and will start operations from April 15.

Confirming the development, Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh defended the move, stating that it had become difficult for the health department to even run emergency services. "We have deployed several medical officers and specialists at CHC Lehragaga, but they have been seeking transfers. At present, there are only two medical officers, while at least four medical officers are required to run emergency serv...