Lucknow: The Yogi government has achieved a significant milestone in its mission to eradicate tuberculosis (TB) from Uttar Pradesh, with 1,748 out of 57,647 gram panchayats claiming to be TB-free. The Health Department will meticulously verify these claims, and upon confirmation, the villages will be honoured with a TB-free certificate by the District Magistrate, the Chief Minister’s office said in a press release. In a release, the CMO said,
CM Yogi has consistently emphasised the importance of combating TB and has been actively involved in monitoring the progress of the Health Department’s initiatives through regular review meetings. The assertion of TB-free status by these panchayats is a testament to CM Yogi’s unwavering commitment.
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Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced this initiative on World Tuberculosis Day (March 24) in Varanasi. Following CM Yogi’s directives, the District Tuberculosis Officer (DTO) and District Panchayat Raj Officer (DPRO) have been tirelessly working to realise the vision of healthier and happier panchayats by eliminating grave diseases like tuberculosis.
Across various districts, including Ambedkar Nagar, Barabanki, Kushinagar, Unnao, Mathura, and Lucknow, numerous panchayats have stepped forward to claim TB-free status, reflecting the widespread enthusiasm for this noble cause.
Dr Shailendra Bhatnagar, the Joint Director/State Tuberculosis Control Programme Officer, has outlined a stringent verification process based on diverse parameters, ensuring that only deserving panchayats receive the TB-free certification by February 20. This meticulous approach underscores the government’s commitment to achieving tangible results in the fight against TB.
The press release added,
Under the aegis of the Yogi government’s campaign, there’s a palpable sense of competition among panchayats to expedite the process of achieving TB-free status. The panchayats are proactively expanding testing efforts and raising awareness about TB through community gatherings and door-to-door screenings. Village leaders recognise the urgency of early detection and treatment initiation, thereby mobilising resources to ensure swift action.
Moreover, concerted efforts are underway to ensure proper nutrition and access to healthcare facilities for individuals undergoing TB treatment. The Ayushman Bharat Arogya Mandir (Health and Wellness Center) has emerged as a crucial ally, offering convenient testing facilities closer to home.
Additionally, various activities aimed at promoting TB awareness and prevention have been incorporated into the Panchayat Development Plans (PDP). Communities have been thoroughly briefed on TB symptoms, prevention measures, debunking misconceptions, treatment adherence, available screening facilities, and the government’s support system for TB patients.
Block Development Officers are actively facilitating the verification process by submitting the requisite documentation for eligible gram panchayats at the block level to the District Tuberculosis Officer, further streamlining efforts towards achieving TB-free Uttar Pradesh, the press release added.
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(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which in its Season 10 is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In a world post COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental well-being, self-care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
