President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu today launched the Ayushman Bhav campaign and its portal through video conferencing from Gujarat. Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya also joined the programme from New Delhi.
Governors, Lt. Governors, Chief Ministers, Members of Parliament and Health Ministers of various States also participated in the launching ceremony through virtual mode. Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla joined in the inauguration of the Ayushman Bhav campaign at Himachal Pradesh State Secretariat through video conferencing.
Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil was also present. Later, while presiding over the Ayushman Bhav program organized at the state level, the Governor said that there has been a rapid change in the healthcare system of the country, with the motto, Sabka Saath.
“India prepared its own COVID vaccine and made it available throughout the country, even to the farthest corner of the remotest belts of the Nation, making the campaign a huge success with the collaborative efforts of all", said the Governor. Similarly, we have to move forward unitedly to make Ayushman Bhav Campaign successful, in true spirit of the motto Sabka Saath, leaving no person or village unattended, he added.
The Governor said that the Health index of Himachal Pradesh was much better than other states and I am hopeful that this campaign would further improve the state's indices in the health sector. He said that Pradhan Mantri T.B Mukt Bharat Abhiyan was being implemented effectively in the country and the target has been set to eradicate TB by the year 2025.
But, as far as Himachal was concerned, the pace at which the work has been done, the state would achieve this target by end of this year, he said. He said that the Ayushman Bhav campaign would commence from 17th September with Seva Pakhwada which will continue till 2nd October this year.
The campaign will continue till the month of December. Extensive awareness of various health schemes will be created during the campaign, he added.
He said that the three major components of this scheme which include Ayushman Aapke Dwar, Ayushman Fair and Ayushman Sabha would benefit the people in large. He expressed confidence that Ayushman Bhav campaign, which is being run by the Health Department in collaboration with Himachal Pradesh Health Insurance Scheme, Women and Child Development Department, Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, Tribal Development and Medical Education, would get everyone's support and will provide health benefits to the common people.
The Governor also released Ayushman Bhav Guidelines on the occasion and administered the Organ Donation Pledge. He also awarded Nikshay Mitras as well, who have contributed to the T.B. Free Himachal campaign by making Nikshay Mitras in large numbers.
On the occasion, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil welcomed the Governor and said that Ayushman cards have been made for 11.37 lakh beneficiaries out of 15.95 lakh in the State and cards of the remaining 4.58 lakh beneficiaries to be made during this campaign. He said that Ayushman fairs would be organized in 58 model health centers and district hospitals of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti.
Blood pressure, sugar test would be done during the campaign and 19 lakh houses would be visited and 64 lakh eligible population to be screened for tuberculosis in this campaign. He said that Ayushman Fairs would be organized in collaboration with the government medical colleges of the State. Ayushman Sabha would be organized in all gram panchayats and urban wards on 2nd October, he added. He said that the Panchayats and wards which were able to achieve 100 percent target would also be certified as Ayushman Gram Panchayat or Ayushman Urban Ward.
Secretary Health, M. Sudha Devi welcomed the Governor and detailed the various components of the campaign. Mission Director National Health Mission, Sudesh Mokta presented a vote of thanks. Officials of District administration and health workers from different districts of the State joined in virtual mode on the occasion.
Chief Secretary, Prabodh Saxena, Secretary to Governor, Rajesh Sharma, Director Health Services, Dr. Gopal Beri, Senior officers of the State Government, representatives of non-governmental organizations were also present amongst others.