JP Nadda plans to make India black fever free this year

Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Sunday said that the Government aimed to eliminate Kala azar from India this year. The slow progressive disease is the second most deadly parasitic killer after malaria, and cases are reported mostly from eastern states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. It is known to affect people from poor-socio economic groups and is spread by sand fly bites. “The government also plans to eradicate malaria by 2030 and is working towards it,” the health minister said.

Nadda admitted that the healthcare development was loop-sided in the country. To counter the lack of manpower, Nadda said: “We are also working with the Medical Council of India (MCI) to ease conditions to get maximum students and promote transparency.”

“Community health workers’ network needs to be strengthened,” said Nadda. Ministry of heath and Family Welfare is also working with distance learning institute IGNOU to develop courses.