CS highlights THR plan at global meet
Lucknow: Chief secretary Manoj Kumar Singh attended a high-level meeting organised by the World Food Programme in Rome recently where he showcased Uttar Pradesh's Take Home Ration (THR) scheme.
The discussions, where the CS also highlighted UP's plans and innovations on food security to the global community, revolved around global nutrition security, sustainable agricultural development, strengthening food supply chains and social empowerment.
Singh engaged in an in-depth conversation with WFP's executive director Cindy McCain. It was discussed that a centre of excellence to promote research and capacity building in nutrition, food processing, distribution systems and social inclusion would be established in UP. In a session at the World Food Programme headquarters, the CS detailed the Take Home Ration programme, which provides nutritional security to approximately 70 lakh people.
In a special session organised by 'Friends of Nutrition', UP's Take Home Ration model was presented as a "successful and exemplary example" of food security.
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Time of India
15 hours ago
- Time of India
Dedicated doctors who heal with heart, extend a helping hand
Lucknow: It's 9am and the community health centre in Kakori is bustling with patients scrambling to meet the doctor. Amid the melee, superintendent Dr Awadhesh Kumar calmly picks the mic and says, "Everyone will be examined. Please stay in line." Though Monday is not his OPD day, he treats a patient with seasonal fungal infection. Posted at CHC as superintendent since 2023, Dr Kumar served at the same CHC as a medical officer for eight years. "Rural health comes with its challenges — especially during the monsoon," he says. Recalling a case when a woman pleaded for help for her husband who was severely dehydrated. Dr Kumar and his team treated him non-stop for 36 hours. When the man recovered, his wife offered Rs 200 in gratitude. "I gave her Rs 500 instead for his nutrition needs. That moment still inspires me," he says with a smile. At Kakori CHC handles 25-27 caesarean deliveries at night every month. Families of newborn girls receive small gifts as encouragement. Like Kakori, patients at public urban health centre (PUHC) express deep appreciation for the dedication of doctors at New Haiderganj, Chinhat, Sadar, Turiyaganj, and Nishatganj, who remain accessible even beyond their official OPD hours of 9am to 3pm. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo At New Haiderganj primary health centre (PHC), a patient showed Dr Rajeev Singh a container of stones passed during urination. He complained of abdominal pain and white urine and feared kidney failure. Dr Singh calmed him down, prescribed painkillers, and advised a urine test and ultrasound. He told the patient that he was lucky that the stones had passed and assured him that pain should ease soon. Located in the house of a former corporator on Mohan Road, this small PHC attracts around 100 patients daily. Dr Singh attends them on Sundays, Mondays, and Fridays, while on other days, he serves patients at other PHCs. He has previously worked at the PHC when he handled 10-12 emergency cases and 25-30 cases of dog bites daily. His internship at Balrampur Hospital prepared him for managing dehydration and hypotension without referrals. During the pandemic, his PHC was the first among small centres to start vaccinations. The number of patients grew from 20 to nearly 100 a day, who reported common ailments like kidney stones, hypertension, and diabetes. Infrastructure, however, remains limited, with only 2-3 rooms and two inpatient beds. "We need at least one or two more rooms," he says. At Chinhat CHC, Dr Anju Duggal is gently counselling a young pregnant woman on the importance of newborn screening. "Timely detection can save a child's life," she says. At 56, Dr Duggal leads child health efforts under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), screening children from birth to 18 years for 32 conditions — from birth defects to developmental delays. "We work with schools, Anganwadis, and ASHAs to ensure every child gets free care, including surgeries, if needed," she says. She credits strong infrastructure and teamwork at the CHC for their success. "Even during emergencies, I feel safe and supported," she says. For her, every child recovered is a story of hope. "It's an emotional moment for us when we help a child overcome a birth defect." Around 11am, there is a steady stream of women seeking healthcare at Ayushman Arogya Mandir in Sadar. Dr Kirti Saxena is listening patiently to a woman in her sixties —not just about her diabetes and hypertension, but also her personal struggles. "This often happens. Many women come with vague complaints like headaches or palpitations. These are often signs of stress. We counsel around 40-45 such patients every month," she says. "Many women feel safer talking here than at home. They discuss domestic issues, even abuse. That's why we focus on mental health and family counselling along with medicines," Dr Saxena says. At 1pm, a similar scene unfolds at the urban primary health centre in Nishatganj where Dr Prachi Singh is attending to a 86-year-old Parkinson's patient. "Most of my patients are elderly and live nearby. They avoid big hospitals. Some come daily or call often — they've become like family," she says. When she joined in April 2023, footfall was just 2-3 patients per day. "I held health camps and spread awareness. Now, we get 40-50 patients daily," she says. Speaking about helping an anaemic woman who couldn't afford private care, she recalls: "My team arranged medicines and tests for her. Sometimes that extra step means the difference between treatment and abandonment." At 3pm, at CHC in Turiyaganj, Dr Geetanjali Singh is conducting a cervical cancer awareness session. Speaking to women, she explains the symptoms, importance of screening, and HPV vaccine. "Most women here are from low-income backgrounds. They need guidance, not just treatment. We often get serious cases and try to support them emotionally and financially," she says.
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Time of India
CS highlights THR plan at global meet
Lucknow: Chief secretary Manoj Kumar Singh attended a high-level meeting organised by the World Food Programme in Rome recently where he showcased Uttar Pradesh's Take Home Ration (THR) scheme. The discussions, where the CS also highlighted UP's plans and innovations on food security to the global community, revolved around global nutrition security, sustainable agricultural development, strengthening food supply chains and social empowerment. Singh engaged in an in-depth conversation with WFP's executive director Cindy McCain. It was discussed that a centre of excellence to promote research and capacity building in nutrition, food processing, distribution systems and social inclusion would be established in UP. In a session at the World Food Programme headquarters, the CS detailed the Take Home Ration programme, which provides nutritional security to approximately 70 lakh people. In a special session organised by 'Friends of Nutrition', UP's Take Home Ration model was presented as a "successful and exemplary example" of food security.
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Time of India
Civic body launches dengue, malaria prevention drive drive in city
Patna: With the arrival of the monsoon season, the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has initiated comprehensive measures to combat vector-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, chikungunya, and others across the city. PMC teams are conducting door-to-door inspections, checking water storage containers, and identifying potential mosquito breeding sites. Fogging operations have also been intensified in high-risk areas, particularly around construction sites and empty plots, said civic body officials. So far, 48 people have tested positive for dengue this year. About 5,041 dengue cases were reported in 2024, while 8,493 cases were reported in 2023, as per the data provided by the Patna district administration. Pravin Kumar Singh, assistant medical officer of the PMC, said a few mosquito breeding grounds were detected in affected areas where dengue patients were identified. "These areas are in Kankerbagh, Patliputra, and Azimabad circles. The civic body has deputed 558 field workers to eliminate the dengue breeding grounds, sprinkle anti-larvae spray, and conduct fogging operations on a roster," he said. Singh told this newspaper on Monday that the civic body has 75 hand-held fogging machines, 59 vehicle-mounted fogging machines, and 375 anti-larvae spraying machines to curb the mosquito population. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo "The fogging fleet is being used on major roads, for which two field workers have been deployed in each vehicle. For areas inaccessible to vehicles, such as narrow lanes or congested localities, we have given one hand-held fogging machine in each ward," Singh said. He added, "The breeding grounds are quite limited this time, and there hasn't been much rain yet. If it rains now, the problems will increase." There are a total of 75 wards in the PMC jurisdiction. As per the current scenario, fogging is done in two shifts, morning and evening. The PMC has divided each ward into five sectors for anti-larvae spray. When asked which areas are more prone to mosquito breeding, Singh said open areas, empty plots, construction sites, dug-up areas or trenches, and places with water accumulation. The PMC is also conducting awareness programmes across all six wards: Azimabad, Bankipur, Kankarbagh, New Capital, Patliputra, and Patna City. Under its 'Swachhta Pakhwada' (fortnight cleanliness) campaign, the civic body's IEC (Information Education Communication) team is creating awareness among people to keep their surroundings clean. Ashish Kumar, additional municipal commissioner, said awareness programmes are being organised, focusing on dengue and malaria prevention and precautions to take. "People are being asked to ensure that there is no accumulated water on rooftops, water containers, and coolers, which are probable breeding grounds for mosquitoes," he said. The district administration has issued an advisory for the public, asking everyone to remain vigilant during the rainy season. "Compliance with the health advisory should be ensured in all schools and colleges. Students should be encouraged to use clothes/dresses covering the whole body. Excellent cleanliness should be ensured in educational institutions. Regular spraying of anti-larva chemical (temiphos) in sufficient quantity in the drains," Patna DM Thiyagarajan SM said. He said that the month of July is observed as Anti Dengue Month (ADM). "Our objective is to accelerate the preventive activities to prevent dengue fever by making the general public aware through IEC and BCC (Behaviour Change Communication) campaigns. During ADM, positive health behaviours will be encouraged to defeat dengue," the DM said.
