Shimla, August 11: Seventeen gram panchayats in Shimla district’s Mashobra and Tutu health blocks have been recognised for their significant progress towards tuberculosis (TB) elimination under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme.
Following a verification process by the district TB team, the panchayats were felicitated with gold, silver and bronze medals along with certificates of appreciation at separate events held at CHC Mashobra and Tutu.
Senior health department supervisor Anmolraj Kaundal said the campaign focused on early identification of TB patients, timely treatment, drug-susceptibility testing and effective implementation of the Nikshay Poshan Yojana. ASHA workers, anganwadi workers, health personnel and panchayat representatives played a key role in the initiative, he said.
Eleven panchayats from the Tutu health block were recognised. Chhalog, Janol, Kot and Pahal received gold medals, while Anandpur was awarded a silver medal. Bainsh, Bhaloh, Ghandal, Mayali, Okhru and Shamlaghat received bronze medals.
In the Mashobra health block, six panchayats were recognised for their performance. Patgehar received a silver medal, while Balog, Ghad Kadhedi (Bharandi), Mulkoti, Piran and Satlai were awarded bronze medals.
Kaundal described the achievement as an important step towards the goal of a TB-free Himachal Pradesh. He said sustained surveillance at the panchayat level, timely testing, regular treatment and community participation would remain critical to eliminating TB.
The recognition also highlights the growing role of local communities and grassroots health workers in taking the state’s TB elimination campaign beyond hospitals and into villages.
