Navhind Times
March 19, 2023
We are striving to make India TB-free by 2025: Mandaviya
Union minister, G20 delegates and others visit PHC in Corlim
Panaji: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday said the Centre is working relentlessly towards making India TB-free by 2025, five years before the global target year of 2030.
The assertion came after Mandaviya and delegates from G20 member countries, international organisations and development partners visited the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centre (AB-HWC) in Corlim on Tuesday.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Bharati Pawar and Cumbarjua MLA Rajesh Faldessai also accompanied Mandaviya.
The field visit was undertaken as part of the ongoing second meeting of the G20 health working group.
During the visit, Mandaviya appreciated Goa’s capacities in the healthcare sector.
He said the state has over 201 Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs), Jan Aushadhi Kendras, medical colleges for training young medical professionals among other initiatives.
“The AB-HWCs are equipped with primary care services and screening facilities for non-communicable diseases. They also have laboratory and diagnostic facilities, and the facilities for minor procedures, comprehensive management and awareness activities,” he said.
The AB-HWC in Corlim showcases the implementation of India’s vision of ensuring universal health coverage and digital healthcare landscape in Goa.
The visitors were impressed upon various initiatives like adoption and use of HMIS (E-Sushrut) including ‘scan and share’ component of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission along with generation of ABHA, integration of central registration, OPD services, physiotherapy, pharmacy and laboratory on E-Sushrut, teleconsultation and telemedicine facility.
Lauding the state’s efforts on the aspect of teleconsultation services, Mandaviya said the particular services in Goa are well-connected to cater to people even in the remotest parts of the state.
“For fulfilling the vision of ensuring universal health coverage, India decided to open more than 1.5 lakh Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres across the country,” he added.
Mandaviya also distributed food baskets to TB patients at the Corlim PHC.
Local MLA Faldessai spoke highly of the facilities available at the centre, which caters to people of Cumbarjua constituency.
Hailing Mandaviya’s visit to the PHC, the MLA said, “Our doctors are doing a great job. There are a whole range of facilities at the centre…”
Meanwhile the Union minister delivered his address at a side event of the health working group meeting, elaborating on how India is creating a comprehensive digital health ecosystem.
He also called for greater collaboration towards creating a digitally connected healthcare system without boundaries.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Pawar and delegates from G20 member countries were present at the meeting.
The meeting deliberated on leveraging digital health innovations. It also included the formulation of a zero draft for the G20 health ministers’ declaration.
Mandaviya along with delegates from Oman, Japan, Russia, Nigeria Singapore and Malaysia as also delegates from UNICEF and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on Tuesday visited a Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Panaji.
During the visit, the Union minister reckoned that the government does not view the pharmaceutical sector as a sector for generating commerce but as a sector to create global public good.