In the second week of May, the ‘TB-Free India’ campaign will be carried out in the slums of Mumbai, with the State Health Department, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Red Cross Society, and universities being involved in the effort, said Governor Jishnu Dev Varma.
A meeting of the Maharashtra branch of the Red Cross Society was held on Tuesday, May 5 under the chairmanship of the Governor. In addition, separate meetings were held with the Vice Chancellors of three universities in the state, during which the Governor issued these directions.
As per the Prime Minister’s directive, the ‘TB-Free India’ campaign is being implemented across the country. However, tuberculosis spreads rapidly in densely populated slum areas. Therefore, the campaign will be undertaken in the second week of May in slums located in Kurla and other parts of Mumbai, the Governor announced.
The Governor said that tuberculosis can be controlled if detected early. Under the campaign, TB screening will be conducted by the Health Department and the Municipal Corporation, while awareness, education, and outreach activities related to TB will be carried out by the Maharashtra branch of the Red Cross Society.
He further stated that NCC, Scouts and Guides, Rotary Clubs, and Youth Red Cross volunteers will also be involved in the campaign. Arrangements will also be made to provide nutritious food to TB patients.
The Governor suggested that the Red Cross Society should work in collaboration with universities and involve them actively in the campaign.
He also directed that the Red Cross Society should intensify its work across all districts of the state and restart activities in districts where they have ceased. Districts performing exceptionally well will be appropriately rewarded by Lok Bhavan.
The Governor also advised universities to assist in identifying TB-prone slum areas using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.
The meeting of the Red Cross Society was attended by Maharashtra branch Vice President Suresh Deora and other office-bearers, while the Vice Chancellors of the University of Mumbai, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University (BATU), and COEP Technological University were present at the university meeting.
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