48 panchayats in Solan dist declared tuberculosis-free
Solan district has taken a significant step toward eradicating tuberculosis (TB), with 48 gram panchayats being declared TB-free. This achievement was announced by Additional Deputy Commissioner Ajay Yadav during the district-level TB Free Panchayat award ceremony, organised by the Health and Family Welfare Department.
Yadav emphasised the need to turn the TB eradication campaign into a mass movement, urging panchayat representatives to raise awareness about the disease, which has an accessible and effective cure. He highlighted that the government provides free medicines for TB prevention and treatment, and also offers a monthly nutrition allowance of Rs 500 for six months to TB patients.
The Government of India aims to eradicate TB nationwide by 2025, while Himachal Pradesh has set an ambitious target to achieve this by 2024. Yadav called upon local panchayat leaders to play an active role in ensuring the district becomes TB-free.
The declaration of 48 gram panchayats as TB-free was based on specific health criteria. These include 16 panchayats from Health Block Arki, three from Health Block Chandi, two from Health Block Dharampur, 16 from Health Block Nalagarh and 11 from Health Block Sayri. Among the honoured panchayats were Bhumati, Chaniyadhar Daseran, Dumahar, Jaghoon, Kyarar, Kotlu, Maan and others.
Key health officials present at the event included Chief Medical Officer Dr Amit Ranjan Talwar, Block Medical Officers from Arki, Nalagarh, Dharampur, and Chandi, alongside representatives from various Panchayati Raj institutions.
This initiative is a major step toward fulfilling the state’s goal of eradicating tuberculosis by 2024, contributing to India’s larger mission of becoming TB-free by 2025.
