The constitution of India envisages the establishment of new social order based on equality, freedom, justice and dignity of the individual. It aims at the elimination of poverty, ignorance and ill-health and directs the State with regard to raising the level of nutrition and the standard of living of the people, securing the health and strength of workers, men and women, and especially ensuring that children are given opportunities to develop in a healthy manner.

Strictly to the tune of constitutional directives and sincerely to the commitment for "Health for All", the main functions of the department may be precisely summed up as curative, preventive and promotive services. Healthy people, having sound physique and mental development provide a firm foundation for the national development. Whatever is spent on the improvement for invigorating human resources for higher productivity in every sphere of socio-economic development.

The Health and Family Welfare Department is committed to provide preventive, promotive and curative Health Services to the people of the State through a good net-work of medical institutions such as sub-centers, subsidiary health centers (dispensaries/Clinics etc.), primary health centers, community health centers, Sub-Divisional and Distt. Hospitals, Government Medical & Dental Colleges (attached hospitals).

Primary Health Care 

 Primary Health Care Services in the rural areas of the State are provided through a net work of Medical Institutions comprising of Sub- Centers (2950) i.e. each for approximately 5000 population, SHCs/Rural Dispensaries/Clinics (1336) i.e. each f or approximately 10000 population, PHCs (395) i.e. each for approximately 30000 population and CHCs (129) i.e. each for approximately 100000 population. Under Alternative Health Care Delivery System, 1187 subsidiary health centers (rural dispensaries have been transferred to department of Rural Development and Panchayats. Where rural medical officers i.e. service providers (doctors) have been appointed by the Zila Parishad. For the promotion of Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy (AYUSH), 507 Ayurvedic /Unani dispensaries, 17 Ayurvedic Swasth Kendra's, 5 Ayurvedic Hospitals, one Govt. Ayurvedic college at Patiala and 107 Homoeopathic dispensaries are functioning in the State.

The various National and State Health Programmes which have been launched to provide Primary Health Care include a crusade against Malaria, Tuberculosis, Blindness, Leprosy and AIDS. All the programs have been successfully implemented in the State.    

Secondary Level Health Care System 

While the CHCs established in rural areas serve as the first level of referral services, the Hospitals at Sub-Divisional level and District Hospitals serve as secondary level of health care system and give support to the services being provided in the Primary Health Care System. Since CHCs in a way also provide specialist services, these can be considered as a part of the secondary level health care system.
Hospital Services at the secondary level play a vital and complementary role to the Primary Health Care System and together form a comprehensive district based health care system. A health care system based on PHC cannot exist without a network of hospitals with responsibilities for supporting primary care and hospital care. Both are essential part of a well-integrated health care system.

Tertiary Level Health Care System 

 Tertiary level health care services are provided in the State by the specialized hospitals and hospitals attached to State Medical Colleges. These institutions besides providing support to the secondary level health care system, are expected to carry out research and manpower development for the health services of the State.    

Delivery of Family Planning Services 

In order to provide Family Planning Services in the urban areas, 23 Urban Family Planning Centers, 64 Urban Revamping Centers and 52 Post Partum Units are functioning in the State.