Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare offered “Shramdaan” on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti as part of “Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan” at Safdarjung Hospital. Speaking on the occasion Shri Nadda said that to implement the vision and philosophy behind Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan launched by the Hon. Prime Minister, the Health Ministry has also launched the Kayakalp initiative last year to set protocols for hygiene and sanitation at government health facilities.
The Health Minister further said that “Kayakalp” initiative will encourage every public health facility in the country to work towards standards of excellence to help the facilities stay clean and hygienic. This does not apply only to physical cleanliness, but to develop and put in place systems and procedures for activities such as bio-waste disposal or protocols etc. The initiative towards total “Swacchta” in public health facilities is aimed towards building confidence of the users in public health facilities, provide quality service and encourage team work, he said.
Shri Nadda informed that this year Kayakalp awards were given to the Central Government Hospitals and District Hospitals from 26 big states. Under the Central Government Hospitals category, the first prize of was given to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, the second prize was given to the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi and the third prize was given to North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), Shillong.
Appreciating the contribution of Sanitation Staff, Shri Nadda said that to maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of such a huge hospital is very big challenge but the sanitation staff has done a commendable job. He further said that ‘swacchta’ should become a social movement and awareness about cleanliness and sanitation should reach every village of this country.
Shri J P Nadda also planted a sapling at the premises of Safdarjung Hospital to convey the message of clean and green India and also took the “Swachhta Pledge” along with the participants and volunteers.
Shri Nadda further said that cleanliness and sanitation should not be a one-time activity but should become a part of our daily life. He also added that all hospitals and government health facilities should endeavor to maintain cleanliness and hygiene throughout the year.
Smt. Aupriya Patel, MoS (Health) offered shramdaan at Lady Hardinge Medical College and took pledge of swachch-bharat, in presence of senior officers of the Health Ministry and doctors of staff of LHMC.
Shri C K Mishra, Secretary (HFW), Dr. Jagdish Prasad, DGHS and senior officers of the Health Ministry also offered shramdaan at Safdarjung hospital and took pledge to volunteer two hours every week towards cleanliness activities.