Latest news with #Trachoma
India Gazette
29-06-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
"This Success belongs to our health workers": PM Modi celebrates India's Trachoma-free status recognised by WHO
New Delhi [India], June 29 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 123rd edition of his monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat, celebrated a significant public health milestone, announcing that the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared India 'Trachoma-free.' Highlighting this achievement, PM Modi attributed the success to the tireless efforts of the country's frontline health workers. 'We resolved to eliminate trachoma and I am delighted to share with you that WHO has declared India as Trachoma-free. This is the result of the efforts of millions of people who tirelessly fought this disease without stopping. This success belongs to our health workers.' He also acknowledged the crucial role played by national initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and the Jal Jeevan Mission, which contributed significantly to eliminating the root causes of trachoma. 'The 'Swatch Bharat Abhiyan' also played a major role in its elimination. 'Jal Jeevan Mission' also contributed significantly to this success. Now that clean water is reaching every household through taps, the risk of such diseases has reduced significantly. WHO has also appreciated that India not only dealt with the disease but also addressed its root causes,' he said. On October 8, 2024, the WHO declared that the Government of India has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem. Trachoma is a bacterial eye infection that can cause blindness if left untreated. It was once widespread in many regions of India. He said, 'The first achievement is related to our health. Many of you might have heard about an eye disease - Trachoma. This disease spreads through bacteria, and there was a time when this disease was common in many parts of India. If neglected, this disease eventually causes blindness.' Meanwhile, during his address, PM Modi also condemned the imposition of the Emergency in the country and termed the period as one of the darkest chapters in India's democratic history. He said that the country is observing the 50th anniversary of the Emergency as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas'. He also played a rare archival audio of former Prime Ministers Morarji Desai, Babu Jagjivan Ram and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who described the Emergency as a time of constitutional murder, mass arrests, and the suppression of civil liberties and press freedom. The Prime Minister asserted that every citizen should remember the ones who fought 'bravely' against the Emergency and it also inspires us to stay 'vigilant' to 'safeguard' the constitution. PM Modi said, 'Morarji Desai describes the Emergency in brief... Not only did those who imposed the Emergency murder democracy, but their intention was to keep the judiciary as their puppet... Under 'MISA', anyone was arrested arbitrarily, people were tortured... Indians refused to compromise on democracy. Finally, people won and the Emergency was lifted. Babu Jagjivan Ram powerfully about this.' MISA refers to the Maintenance of Internal Security Act, a law used extensively during the Emergency to detain political opponents without trial. (ANI)
The Hindu
29-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
‘Mann ki Baat': WHO declares India free of Trachoma, says PM Modi
In his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (June 29, 2025) said that India has been declared free of Trachoma — an eye disease. In the 123rd episode, Mr. Modi said, 'I am delighted to share with you that World Health Organisation [WHO] had declared India free of Trachoma, an eye disease.' Trachoma is a bacterial infection of the eyes caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. It's a leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide, particularly in impoverished areas with poor access to clean water and sanitation. 'International Labour Organisation has said over 64% of Indian population is getting some form of social protection benefit,' PM Modi noted. 'Over 95 crore Indians now benefitting from some social security scheme, govt schemes reached less than 25 crore people in 2015,' he added.
News18
29-06-2025
- Health
- News18
‘Success Of Health Workers': PM Modi On India Being Declared Trachoma-Free Nation
Last Updated: Last month, India was awarded the Certificate of Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Health Problem by the WHO at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed the success of Indian health workers after World Health Organisation (WHO) declared India free of Trachoma, an eye disease. While addressing the 123rd episode of his monthly radio program, Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi said, 'I am delighted to share with you that WHO has declared India free of Trachoma, an eye disease. This is the success of our health workers. 'Jal Jeevan' Mission has contributed to this." He also mentioned about the International Yoga Day and said that millions across the country and the world took part in the celebrations. Addressing the radio program, PM Modi said, 'On June 21, millions across the country and the world took part in the International Day of Yoga celebrations. It began 10 years ago. Over the 10 years, every year his tradition has become grander than before. This indicates that more people are incorporating yoga into their lives." He further emphasised upon the resumption of Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra and the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. He said that the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra has resumed after a long time, marking a significant moment for devotees. He also said that the Amarnath Yatra is set to begin from July 3, enabling pilgrims to embark on this sacred journey once again. 'My best wishes to those who are about to embark on these pilgrimages," he added. Last month, India was awarded the Certificate of Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Health Problem by the World Health Organisation (WHO) at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva. In October last year, the WHO declared that the Government of India had eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem. India also became the third country in the Southeast Asia region to reach this public health milestone. The government has taken various steps under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) to eliminate Trachoma. Since 2019, the National Programme has developed a continuous surveillance setup for trachoma cases by collecting case reports from all the districts in the country via sa pecific WHO shared format. The National Trachomatous Trichiasis survey was done in 200 endemic districts of the country during 2021-24, which was a mandate set by WHO.
India Gazette
21-05-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
India, Nepal strengthen health cooperation at WHA78 bilateral meeting in Geneva
Geneva [Switzerland], May 21 (ANI): Reinforcing the strong health partnership between the two nations, India and Nepal held a significant bilateral meeting in Geneva on Tuesday (local time) on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78). The meeting, held between India's Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava and Nepal's Minister of Health and Population Pradip Paudel, focused on key health issues such as affordable drugs, communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), digital health, and capacity building of the health workforce. 'A bilateral meeting took place today on the sidelines of #WHA78 between Health Secretary, Govt of India, Punya Salila Srivastava and Pradip Paudel, Minister of Health and Population, Govt of Nepal. Bilateral issues on health such as ensuring affordable drugs, communicable diseases, NCDs, digital health and capacity building of health workforce were discussed,' the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) stated in a post on X. 'The meeting also reinforced the strong partnership and support shared by India and Nepal,' The MoHFW further noted. Earlier, India was conferred with the certificate of eliminating Trachoma as a public health problem at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva. Union Health Minister JP Nadda lauded this achievement and said it was a proud moment for the nation. 'A proud moment for the nation at WHA78 (World Health Assembly), India has been conferred the Certificate of Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Health Problem by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General at WHO, at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva,' Nadda stated in a post on X. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually addressed the 78th Session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva from New Delhi on Tuesday, highlighting India's contributions to global health initiatives under the unifying theme of 'One World for Health'. PM Modi mentioned India's Ayushman Bharat scheme, the world's largest health insurance program, which covers 580 million people and provides free treatment. He outlined three cores for the future of a healthy world - inclusion, integrated vision and collaboration. (ANI)
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
"Proud moment for nation": JP Nadda after WHO awards India for eliminating trachoma
New Delhi: After India was conferred the certificate of elimination of Trachoma as a public health problem at 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Union Helath Minister JP Nadda lauded this achievement and said it is a proud moment for the nation. In a post on X, JP Nadda said, "A proud moment for the nation at WHA78 (World Health Assembly) India has been conferred the Certificate of Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Health Problem by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , Director-General at WHO, at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva." Crediting the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nadda said this milestone milestone reflects the success of our public health initiatives. "This significant milestone reflects the success of our public health initiatives under the visionary leadership Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji whose focus on preventive and inclusive healthcare continues to drive global recognition," JP Nadda said. Nadda further assured that the country remains firmly committed to disease elimination and ensuring health for all through sustained, people-centric health reforms. On Monday, World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus awarded India the Certificate of Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Health Problem at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) stated that this recognition highlights India's sustained efforts in disease elimination, its focus on preventive healthcare, and its continued commitment to the vision of Health For All. The milestone was announced during India's participation in the 78th World Health Assembly, which officially began on May 19 in Geneva. According to a post shared by the MoHFW on X, the Indian delegation is being led by Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary at the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. "Today marks the commencement of the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva. The Indian delegation, led by Punya Salila Srivastava... is actively participating in the Assembly, reflecting India's continued commitment to strengthening global health systems and advancing international collaboration," the ministry said. India's presence at the World Health Assembly underscores its larger role in global health governance. The delegation's active involvement aligns with India's consistent efforts in supporting multilateral health initiatives and highlights the nation's leadership in public health challenges, including neglected tropical diseases such as trachoma.
