Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India chaired a review meeting through video conferencing for the eradication of Kala-azar in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Health Minister of Jharkhand, Banna Gupta, along with health ministers of other states and high level officials participated in this meeting. In the meeting Dr. Mandaviya also inaugurated the video message given by Indian cine artist Manoj Bajpayee on Kala-azar.
On this occasion, the message given by the Prime Minister, Government of India in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme was also narrated, in which he said "control of sand fly and early detection and complete treatment of Kala-azar disease" is very necessary. Dr. Mandaviya, in his address, directed that the supply of essential medicines is ensured by the Central Government, but their implementation will have to be ensured by the State.
In the programme, Dr. Bharti Praveen Pawar, State Health and Family Welfare Minister, Government of India, said that for the total eradication of Kala-azar disease, there is a need to work under a well-planned strategy of identification of Kala-azar patients. He suggested that the new initiative of Jharkhand, in which intensive surveillance is done in rural areas through ambulances, can be adopted by other states as well.
In the meeting, Banna Gupta said that there are no Kala-azar patients except only one block in the state, Littipada, which means our state is moving towards eradication of kala-azar. Jharkhand's Health Minister Banna Gupta also said that in the last years, out of 33 blocks in 4 districts of the state, 5 cases of Kala-azar were more than 1 per 10,000 population, now it is more than 1 in only 1 block, Littipada. Along with this, he also said that Jharkhand will be free from Kala-azar very soon in due time.
Reiterating the Government of India’s commitment to eradicate Kala-azar, Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India said, “The Government is determined to eradicate Kala-azar and is working strategically in all areas affected by Kala-azar disease. By making an integrated micro action plan for eradication of Kala-azar, activities for its eradication are being carried out at village and block level and insecticide spraying (IRS) is being ensured in every house of Kala-azar affected villages.”
Rajeev Manjhi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India said that with the concerted efforts of all of us, there has been a significant reduction in Kala-azar cases in the last one year and soon we will achieve the goal of becoming Kala-azar free.
Dr. Tanu Jain, Director, NCVBDC, Government of India, while emphasizing on the importance of collective efforts, said, “It is the responsibility of all of us to work towards eradicating Kala-azar. Combined efforts of line departments, self-help groups, frontline workers and development partners will help us achieve the elimination goals.”
In the programme, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Arun Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Jharkhand, Dr. Krishna Kumar, Director General, Health Services, Jharkhand, Dr. Anil Kumar, State Program Officer, V.B. D. Jharkhand including state health officials and representatives of partner organizations such as World Health Organisation, Global Health Strategies (GHS), Project Concern International (PCI), CARE participated.