Union min Baghel inaugurates 1st National Public Health India conference

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare SP Singh Baghel on Friday inaugurated the first National Public Health India Conference (NPHICON-2024) in the national capital here.

The three-day conference is being organized from February 23 to 25 by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) under the Directorate General of Health Services. 

NITI Aayog member Dr VK Paul was also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister highlighted the significance of the conference in advancing public health discourse and in formulating policies aligned with the Prime Minister's vision for Viksit Bharat. 

The minister commended NCDC for its leadership and dedication in organising this pivotal event that will contribute to the development of resilient health policies and interventions.

The Minister said that the most important scheme of the Government of India is the Ayushman Bharat Scheme. Earlier, the most discussed diseases were ones like Kala-azar, Japanese fever, and dengue. 

But under the leadership of the Prime Minister, due to the construction of 4 crore toilets in rural areas, the number of patients suffering from diseases like Kala-azar has reduced.

Water is reaching people's homes through taps. Smokeless gas cylinders have been given to 12 crore people. Four crore 'pucca' (brick) houses have been built. So now people do not sleep in the open outside the house. 

Electricity supply has been made available 24 hours a day so that even a poor person can get rid of mosquitoes and flies by running a fan.

Due to all these schemes, the diseases, including Kala-azar, that were prevalent earlier in rural areas have been reduced, he added.