Mandaviya inaugurates health pavilion at IITF 2021, total health to be the agenda

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya cycled his way to inaugurate the health pavilion at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2021organised in the national capital to generate awareness and promote a healthy active lifestyle in view of the rising burden of NCDs in the country.

He informed that the purpose of the health pavilion is to create awareness regarding Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and importance of preventive health.

The theme for this year’s health pavilion was chosen as raising awareness about Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), also called lifestyle diseases, and project importance of total health in view of rising NCD cases all across the country.

Emphasizing on the need to establish good healthcare facilities for people, the health minister said, “Having health pavilion at the trade fair is not because health is trade, but this is a platform to establish how people should get good facilities for health, this is what we desire. The purpose of the health pavilion is to create awareness and project the importance of total health which is synonymous with affordable healthcare.”

Further, established Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centres (HWC) form the backbone of India’s health system to provide affordable quality healthcare, accessible to all. In line with this, he announced a month-long campaign as part of "Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav" to create awareness about preventable health.

Annotating more on the campaign hosted by the government to promote total health and wellness, Mandavita said,“During this month-long campaign, we have set ourselves a target of conducting 7.5 lakh wellness sessions and 75 lakh NCD screenings across the country through the Ayushman Bharat HWC. Early screening will aid in timely identification of diseases. This is part of the overarching concept of total health, which is comprehensive including preventive and promotive health”,

Mandaviya suggested that total health can only be achieved through preventive care which includes indulging in physical activities promoted through government initiatives like Fit India movement, yoga, khelo India.

Appreciated the role played by private players in the health sector in providing treatment and highlighted that the public-private partnership in the sector will make healthcare both accessible and affordable, adding that the "competition will help in providing affordable prices".