Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Bhupinder Kumar, on Saturday presided over a felicitation ceremony held to recognize outstanding performance of Pulwama district in health sector.
District Development Commissioner, Pulwama, Baseer-Ul-Haq Choudhary, Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Ahmed Rather, Deputy Commissioner Shopian, Sachin Kumar, SSP Pulwama, Mohammad Yousuf, CMOs Pulwama and Shopian, State Tuberculosis Officer, District Tuberculosis Officers, doctors, paramedical staff, health workers and other concerned were present on the occasion.
On the occasion, the participants took an oath against drug abuse.
Various speakers emphasized the need to raise awareness about the ill-effects of drug abuse and help the affected people reach de-addiction centres. They appealed to the gathering, especially the youth, to unite and fight against drug addiction, terming the menace as one of the stumbling blocks for India to achieve its full potential.
On the occasion, Bhupinder Kumar expressed happiness over the fact that recently Pulwama has been declared as TB free district. He said that the entire Kashmir division is gradually moving towards Tuberculosis (TB) elimination. “TB incidences are declining in Kashmir. We will achieve TB elimination by 2025 intensified and active case finding and case screening is being done regularly,” he added.
He appreciated the untiring efforts of health employees in achieving these significant landmarks. He lauded the district administration led by Baseer-Ul-Haq Choudhary for his unparalleled support and guidance.
Secretary said that the department has done an extremely wonderful job in achieving brilliant results during the last few years in TB elimination. He praised the work of State Tuberculosis Officer, Chief Medical Officers Pulwama and Shopian, District Tuberculosis Officers, Block Medical Officers and most importantly the outstanding role of the ground staff.
He said that twin districts of Pulwama and Shopian, Anantnag and Kulgam were declared TB free recently, while twin districts of Srinagar and Ganderbal received gold Medals.
Hailing the achievements of Director Health Services, Secretary Health said that it has been made possible only by coordinated efforts of the department under the dedicated work of Doctors, paramedical staff and all the field workers.
On the occasion, he also felicitated doctors, health workers, field staff and paramedical staff of Pulwama/ Shopian for their commendable contributions in the health sector. He said that Pulwama and Anantnag districts in south Kashmir have been declared tuberculosis free in the second round of the sub-national certification for TB elimination of India recently. He added that three districts (Budgam, Pulwama and Anantnag) are the only districts that have been declared TB-free so far. “Srinagar has got a gold medal while UT J&K has got bronze and most of the other districts have maintained the status quo. Pulwama now has the distinction of being among the only three districts with TB free status,” he added.
Secretary lauded their tireless work during the Covid-19 pandemic and in TB elimination. He said that the fight against Covid and TB was almost impossible without the work of health workers while the support of allied departments was paramount. He also complimented anti-TB medical personnel, Pulwama for achieving the target in two years ahead of the National target.
On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner said that only with the strenuous efforts of Health society Pulwama and its associated officers/officials/ workers, health sector is witnessing reformation of the district’s health sector which is being acknowledged at national level as the District received back to back recognition for TB free and Kayakalp awards.
It has been a proud moment for the district administration and all of us that the district received Kayakalp “Award to Public Health Facilities” 2022-2023 besides one Community Health Centre Pampore, 05 PHCs, 01 NTPHC and 04 HWCs have qualified for awards under Kayakalp.
He added that following the National ambitious goal of achieving TB Free India by 2025, District Pulwama is privileged to hit the milestone two years ahead of the National target.
Director Health Services Kashmir, appreciated the work of the health care workers and credited the low mortality rate during the Covid-19 pandemic and the TB elimination in the District to them.
Later, Bhupinder Kumar felicitated the toppers of the recently declared results in class 8, besides felicitating the media fraternity of Pulwama for their commendable role in disseminating information regarding COVID-19 and TB in the district.
