Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, SP Singh Baghel, inaugurated the first National Public Health India Conference (NPHICON-2024) on Friday.
The three-day conference, organised by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) under the Directorate General of Health Services, aims to foster discussions on health research, policies, and interventions.
NITI Aayog member, Dr VK Paul, joined the inauguration ceremony, emphasizing the importance of the conference in aligning policies with the Prime Minister’s vision for a developed India, known as Viksit Bharat.
Addressing the gathering, Minister SP Singh Baghel praised the NCDC for its leadership and dedication in organizing the event, foreseeing its crucial role in the development of resilient health policies. The conference brings together experts, doctors, and researchers to discuss ongoing health research and advancements.
Baghel highlighted the Ayushman Bharat Scheme as a cornerstone of the Government of India’s efforts. He attributed the reduction of diseases like Kala-azar, Japanese fever, and dengue to various initiatives, including the construction of 4 crore toilets in rural areas, providing smokeless gas cylinders to 12 crore people, and ensuring 24-hour electricity supply.
Dr Atul Goel, DGHS, National Center for Disease Control, said many infectious diseases are also being discussed at this conference. “There are many infectious diseases in the country on which we are focused. But there are some of these diseases on which our country is working very fast and we are moving forward to eliminate them. These include diseases like Kala-Azar, TB, rabies, and malaria.”
Dr Roderico H Ofrin, WHO Representative to India, emphasized the collaborative nature of the conference, bringing together experts, researchers, students, and practitioners to share best practices and research findings.
The event also saw the launch of a revamped NCDC website, a new e-journal, Epi-Dis-Phere Public Health Resilience, and an e-techno-doc comprising oral and poster abstracts of conference presentations.
The conference is set to conclude on February 25.
(With ANI inputs)