February 28th 2025.
In Bhubaneswar, on Friday, Union Health Minister J P Nadda shared that India is on track to eliminate tuberculosis from the country by the end of this year, five years ahead of the global target. He made this announcement while inaugurating the 9th National Summit on Good and Replicable Practices and Innovations in the Public Healthcare System in Puri. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has organized a two-day conference for this purpose.
Nadda highlighted that according to the Sustainable Development Goals, India is expected to eliminate TB by 2030. However, with the efforts and progress being made, India is set to achieve this goal by 2025. He also mentioned that through the ongoing 100-day TB Mukt Bharat campaign in 455 districts across the country, 5 lakh TB patients have already been identified. This extensive campaign will now be extended to include all aspirational districts and blocks, aiming to eliminate tuberculosis by the end of 2025.
Addressing the health officers present, Nadda urged them to consider public representatives as crucial messengers and tools for the translation of government policies and programs. He advised them to involve PRI (Panchayati Raj Institutions) for better implementation of the TB Mukt Bharat campaign, along with the 22 line departments. Nadda also emphasized the need to address the increasing cases of non-communicable diseases, which are partly caused by the negative impact of the environment.
The Union Health Minister also stressed the importance of providing quality healthcare at the primary healthcare centers. He stated that the base needs to be strengthened to cater to the 1.4 billion population of our country. Nadda acknowledged the shortage of doctors in the country and suggested telemedicine as a solution. He also suggested the adoption of a hub and spoke model to ensure specialist advice reaches the PHC level and Ayushman Arogya Mandir Centers. Nadda also recommended the expansion of drone services to hilly and remote areas where accessibility is a challenge.
Nadda addressed the issue of finances, stating that it is not a problem. He reminded that the government has opened 22 AIIMS in just 10 years and is willing to provide funds for enhancing the quality of healthcare services at the PHC level under the NHM. However, he urged the officers to ensure that the funds are utilized effectively.
Speaking about ongoing initiatives, Nadda shared that the universal screening program, which started on February 20, will continue till March 31. The program aims to detect diseases like diabetes, three types of cancers, etc., in the early stages. The target is to reach 37 crore people through this campaign, and Nadda urged for massive efforts to make people aware of government facilities.
The Union Health Minister also mentioned the impact of Ayushman Bharat, stating that 90% of cancer cases were detected in the early stages within 30 days, and treatment was started. He also shared plans to open 200 daycare centers for cancer patients this year and have at least one daycare center in every district within a year.
Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, who was also present at the meeting, reaffirmed their commitment to expand and upgrade medical infrastructure. He mentioned the foundation laying of a 100-bed National Institute for Yoga & Naturopathy by the Prime Minister on October 29, 2024. Majhi also shared that steps are being taken to establish the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research and the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing in the state.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the state's efforts to strengthen 7358 urban and rural PHC & sub-centers as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, providing comprehensive primary healthcare services, including yoga and other wellness activities. He added that the budget for the coming years includes provisions for constructing new buildings for 1,338 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
In conclusion, Majhi mentioned the 100-day intensified TB campaign initiated in 20 high-priority districts in Odisha and emphasized their commitment towards a TB Mukt Odisha. The inaugural session of the summit was attended by other dignitaries, including Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, and MD of NHM, Aradhana Patnaik.
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