While launching Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan from Sangla in Kinnaur district on the occasion of Birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar said that with the concerted efforts, TB would be eradicated from the State by the year 2023. To achieve the goal of eradication of the disease, Himachal Pradesh was the first TB Free State in the country. He said that tribal district of Kinnaur has been selected to start this campaign.
The Governor said that some difficulties occurred due to Corona period in achieving the goal of elimination but now this goal has to be achieved. He said that it was the collective responsibility of the entire society to check TB and help them by speeding up the TB free campaign. He expressed contentment that the corporate sector and big businessmen have come forward to contribute in this direction and adopting TB patients for treatment. He said that the State Red Cross was also making an important contribution in this direction. He appealed to everyone to adopt one person suffering from TB and took the responsibility to help them in providing all assistance. He said that today, as per the data 12.30 lakh TB cases were reported in India. He said that the total TB notification rate in 2021 in the State was 191 cases per lakh population. Total TB cases in 2021 in the State were 14492, out of which 2.6 per cent were in tribal areas, 74 per cent in rural and 23.4 percent in urban areas.
The Governor said that JSW Hydro Energy Limited was doing good work for eradication of TB in the district. He expressed happiness that the company has adopted 10 TB patients. He urged them to adopt the entire district and said that it would be of great help in this direction. The Governor also distributed ‘Poshan Kits’ provided by JSW Energy Baspa Plant to the beneficiaries. He also distributed Health Kits to the needy people on the occasion. Dr. Roshan Lal, Chief Medical Officer, Kinnaur welcomed and honoured the Governor by presenting Himachali cap and Khattak on the occasion. Gopal Beri, Deputy Managing Director, National Health Mission welcomed the Governor on the occasion and detailed about the activities of the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan through power point presentation. He also briefed about the scope and expected outcomes of NI-KSHAY 2.0 portal. He also proposed a vote of thanks. Earlier, the Governor also inaugurated a blood donation camp organized by the State Red Cross Society in collaboration with Health department at Sangla. Secretary to Governor Rajesh Sharma, SDM Shashank Gupta, Associate Vice President and Head of Plant, JSW Hydro Energy Limited Kaushik Maulik, officials of district administration and other prominent people were also present on the occasion.
