National Workshop on Healthy Villages Sets the Stage for Rural Well-being

The Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Kapil Moreshwar Patil inaugurates the three-day National Workshop on Healthy Village towards Healthier Tomorrow in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh on January 18, 2024. The event is witnessing the participation of key dignitaries, including Deputy Chief Minister and Panchayati Raj & Rural Development Minister, Budi Mutyala Naidu, Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Vivek Bharadwaj, and Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh, Dr K S Jawahar Reddy.

Focused Localization of Sustainable Development Goals

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department of Andhra Pradesh, is organizing the National Workshop on Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Gram Panchayats. The workshop, themed 'Healthy Village', is scheduled to take place from January 18 to 20, 2024.

Objectives and Key Focus Areas

The primary objective of the workshop is to showcase exemplary strategies, convergent actions, and innovative models related to health parameters, preventive measures against communicable and non-communicable diseases, and the integration of Village Health Plans into Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP).

Interactive Discussions and Presentations

Different working groups comprising participating States and Union Territories will engage in interactive group discussions on various aspects of creating a Healthy Village. Presentations will offer insights into strategies, approaches, and roadmaps to envision a healthy village, addressing issues such as malnutrition, lifestyle diseases, vector-borne diseases, and ensuring accessibility to quality health services.

Diverse Topics for Deliberation

The workshop will cover a spectrum of topics, including the role of Gram Panchayats in preventive measures, accessibility to quality healthcare services, addressing malnutrition in women, children, and adolescents, palliative care for the elderly, and combating lifestyle diseases. Special attention will be given to the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, sexual and reproductive healthcare services, and family planning.

Unique Platform for Collaboration

This workshop provides a unique platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and strategizing to build a healthier tomorrow. The focus on the localization of Sustainable Development Goals aims to address specific challenges and opportunities at the grassroots level.

Distinguished Participants

Distinguished dignitaries such as Additional Secretary Dr Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Special Chief Secretary Budithi Rajsekhar, and Joint Secretary Vikas Anand, among others, will actively contribute to the workshop. The event is expected to draw participation from senior officers, Panchayat representatives, and around 800 elected representatives from across the country.

Gram Panchayats honored with National Panchayat Awards on the theme ‘Healthy Village’ will actively participate, sharing their experiences through video presentations. Furthermore, UN agencies, national organizations, and NGOs, including Transform Rural India Foundation (TRIF), will contribute expertise to foster healthier rural communities.