Health Secretary Amitabh Awasthi said here today that Himachal Pradesh has achieved first rank in the country amongst the States with a population of more than 50 lakhs, to end Tuberculosis.He said that as per the Sustainable Development Goals the goal is to end Tuberculosis by 2030. The Nation has committed to end Tuberculosis by 2025 and the State of Himachal Pradesh has set itself a goal to eliminate TB ahead of the national deadline. The World TB Day is celebrated every year on 24th of March. This year, the World TB Day was also celebrated across the state with the theme-The Clock is ticking. The national level programme was organized at Ambedkar Bhawan, Delhi. This year the Government of India also started the sub national certification of the States and districts for the elimination of TB and from the Himachal Pradesh, 5 districts Una, Hamirpur, Kangra, Lahaul & Spiti and Kinnaur had applied. This survey was conducted in the month of February, 2021 and the results were compiled and declared on the occasion of world TB day. The Government of India also ranks the States in terms of programmatic interventions under National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme.
This award was conferred today at Delhi by the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan and the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Sh. Ashwani Choubhey. On the behalf of the State, this award was received by Dr. Nipun Jindal, Mission Director, NHM, Himachal Pradesh and Dr. Gopal Beri, STO. Amongst the districts, which had applied for Subnational Certificate, Lahaul and Spiti earned Silver medal because of its efforts which was received by Dr. Jagdish, District Tuberculosis Officer, L&S. Kinnaur, Hamirpur, Una and Kangra got bronze medal which was received by respective District Programme Officers. The State has committed to eliminate TB earlier and because of multifarious efforts like expansion of diagnostic net, frontline response, treatment adherence, community participation and commitment of the stakeholders, the State has been able to perform well in all the parameters and earned first rank in the country.Amitabh Awasthi further said that the implementation has been strengthened and supplemented by a State Scheme–Mukhya Mantri Kshay Rog Nivaran Yojana as well which includes budgetary provisions as well. He expressed satisfaction on the implementation and hoped that the State shall continue to perform exceedingly well and is on course for achieving TB elimination soon.