Diplomat Correspondent
Leh,DD, Meera Srivastava, Joint Secretary (RCH), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, concluded her two-day official visit to the Union Territory of Ladakh from July 13 to 15, 2025.
The visit aimed to review the preparedness and implementation of key national health programmes and initiatives across the UT.
During the visit, the Joint Secretary chaired a series of high-level review meetings with senior health officials, Including Mission Director NHM Ladakh Bhanu Prabha, Director Health Services, Chief Medical Officers of Leh and Kargil, State Immunization Officer, State Nodal Officers, RCH and NCD officials, District Immunization Officers and representatives from State and District Programme Management Units.
The review meetings focused on the elimination of Measles- Rubella, Routine Immunization, Reproductive and Child Health (RCH), and the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
During the course of the meeting, several priority directives were outlined to strengthen the implementation of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme in Ladakh.
These included focused screening of high-risk and vulnerable populations, particularly those in congregate and workplace settings, to enable early detection.
Emphasis was laid on the submission of comprehensive micro-plans outlining the logistics for specimen transportation, accessibility to NAAT services, and the availability of X-ray facilities.
The Joint Secretary also stressed the importance of enhancing IEC activities by engaging non-health departments to broaden public awareness. Further she directed that regular supervision and monitoring be ensured through structured reporting by Chief Medical Officers, District Tuberculosis Officers, and Block Medical Officers.
Strengthening the mechanisms of contact tracing, especially for newly diagnosed TB cases, was also highlighted to curb silent transmission and ensure effective containment of the disease.
As part of her field visits, Meera Srivastava inspected various health facilities including AAM at Phyang and Choglamsar, and PHC Thiksey.
She interacted with health staff and frontline workers and reviewed the on-ground implementation of national health programmes.
She lauded the commitment and innovative initiatives of the grassroots health workforce.
The Joint Secretary also visited SNM Hospital Leh, where she appreciated the dedicated service delivery by the Doctors and Staff, recognizing their vital role in strengthening healthcare systems in the region.
The visit concluded with a renewed commitment to collaborative efforts between the UT administration and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare towards achieving national health goals and improving the overall health outcomes of the people of Ladakh.DD
