
World Bank Praises Nagpur's Metropolitan Surveillance Unit
World Bank
has lauded the efforts of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation's Metropolitan Surveillance Unit (MSU), set up to strengthen public health monitoring under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).
A joint team of officials from the World Bank and the Union ministry of health and family welfare visited the MSU on Tuesday to review its functioning. The delegation included Dr Guru Rajesh Jami and Dr Lungwu from the World Bank, and Dr Vijendra Katre from the health ministry.
The team inspected the six-storey MSU building at KT Nagar, which is in its final stage of construction. Later, they interacted with municipal health officials at the MSU office and also attended a review meeting at the NMC headquarters, chaired by additional commissioner Vasumana Pant.
Senior health officials, including Dr Narendra Bahirwar, Dr Govardhan Navkhare, Dr Virendra Wankhede, Dr Mithun Kherde, Dr Shushanki Bansod, Dr Sonal Sanghi, and Dr Ashwini Waghe briefed the delegation.
Dr Virendra Wankhede gave a detailed presentation on the unit's establishment, ongoing disease surveillance work, and the challenges being faced. The visiting team expressed satisfaction with the progress and praised the commitment of MSU staff.
Municipal commissioner Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari, along with chief medical officer Dr Deepak Selokar, guided the interactions. The World Bank team assured full support in resolving operational challenges faced by the MSU.
The World Bank experts recommended strengthening interdepartmental coordination under the 'One Health' approach by working closely with animal husbandry, environment, and water supply departments. They also advised greater use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for data analysis and closer collaboration with private hospitals and laboratories to enhance disease surveillance.
Stay updated with the latest local news from your
city
on
Times of India
(TOI). Check upcoming
bank holidays
,
public holidays
, and current
gold rates
and
silver prices
in your area.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
World Bank Praises Nagpur's Metropolitan Surveillance Unit
Nagpur: The World Bank has lauded the efforts of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation's Metropolitan Surveillance Unit (MSU), set up to strengthen public health monitoring under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM). A joint team of officials from the World Bank and the Union ministry of health and family welfare visited the MSU on Tuesday to review its functioning. The delegation included Dr Guru Rajesh Jami and Dr Lungwu from the World Bank, and Dr Vijendra Katre from the health ministry. The team inspected the six-storey MSU building at KT Nagar, which is in its final stage of construction. Later, they interacted with municipal health officials at the MSU office and also attended a review meeting at the NMC headquarters, chaired by additional commissioner Vasumana Pant. Senior health officials, including Dr Narendra Bahirwar, Dr Govardhan Navkhare, Dr Virendra Wankhede, Dr Mithun Kherde, Dr Shushanki Bansod, Dr Sonal Sanghi, and Dr Ashwini Waghe briefed the delegation. Dr Virendra Wankhede gave a detailed presentation on the unit's establishment, ongoing disease surveillance work, and the challenges being faced. The visiting team expressed satisfaction with the progress and praised the commitment of MSU staff. Municipal commissioner Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari, along with chief medical officer Dr Deepak Selokar, guided the interactions. The World Bank team assured full support in resolving operational challenges faced by the MSU. The World Bank experts recommended strengthening interdepartmental coordination under the 'One Health' approach by working closely with animal husbandry, environment, and water supply departments. They also advised greater use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for data analysis and closer collaboration with private hospitals and laboratories to enhance disease surveillance. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.


Indian Express
5 days ago
- Indian Express
Land, funding and inter-department woes: BJP govt's Aarogya Mandirs face hiccups
The government may have changed, but challenges in expanding Delhi's health infrastructure seem to persist. After the BJP came to power in Delhi in February, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that over 1,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs would be inaugurated across the city by March 2026, under the Centre's Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. However, much like the AAP government's struggles with setting up mohalla clinics, the new project is running into familiar obstacles. One, several civic bodies and departments are yet to issue No-Objection Certificates (NoCs) for sites identified earlier this year to set up the clinics. Other challenges have also cropped up: geographical suitability, funding constraints and inter-department issues. According to officials, 925 sites under various departments and corporations — Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi government, Gram Sabha, New Delhi Municipal Council and others — were originally proposed for setting up Arogya Mandirs. Of these, data showed, NoCs have been given only to 224 sites while 110 locations have been found non-feasible. Of the total sites identified, the highest, 429, were under MCD — and only 98 have got NOCs. As for the remaining locations, data shows, 108 locations were found 'not pertaining' to the MCD while 61 sites were not identified. Further, the civic body has not given NOCs to 162 sites. 'Discrepancies have been observed between the total number of sites identified, NOCs obtained and feasibility… Apart from this, there are land issues… while ensuring optimal site selection as per Indian Public Health Standards to avoid proximity to other already existing health facilities,' said a senior official. Officials said they are also facing funding issues in some places as there is cap of Rs 25 lakh per centre for upgradation, which prevents their development. Officials further said they are facing inter-department issues. 'All departments, excluding MCD, have their own engineering wings and have declined to undertake upgradation work through their internal units,' said an official. Following the challenges, officials said, the Health Department proposed 334 new sites — 133 under MCD, 104 under the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, 31 under DDA, 60 under DoE and 7 at already existing MCD allopathic centres. Health Minister Pankaj Singh didn't respond to queries seeking comment.


NDTV
6 days ago
- NDTV
PM Modi Sounds Alarm On Rising Obesity, Urges Indians To Cut Cooking Oil Use By 10%
In his 79th Independence Day address from the historic Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shifted focus from politics to a pressing health concern: the rapid rise of obesity in India. Speaking to millions of citizens in an address that lasted 103 minutes, he highlighted how lifestyle changes, poor dietary habits, and reduced physical activity are fuelling a wave of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. "In the coming years, obesity can become a major challenge for our country," the Prime Minister said. "If every family decides to reduce the use of cooking oil by 10%, it will benefit the health of the nation." The 'Cooking Oil' Connection PM Modi's call to action was clear and measurable-cut down cooking oil consumption by 10%. The message targets a key driver of poor health: excessive intake of refined oils and fried foods. Nutritionists have long warned that high oil consumption, especially oils high in saturated and trans fats, contributes to weight gain, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular risks. The PM urged Indians to embrace traditional cooking methods that use less oil, rely more on steaming, roasting, and boiling, and incorporate diverse plant-based ingredients. Lifestyle Overhaul Needed PM Modi's speech went beyond dietary advice. He pressed for daily exercise as a non-negotiable part of life, recommending yoga, walking, cycling, and home-based workouts. He also suggested rediscovering traditional Indian dietary wisdom, which historically balanced cereals, pulses, vegetables, and seasonal fruits without overreliance on packaged and processed foods. Why This Warning Matters Now India's obesity problem is no longer confined to cities. According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21), the following points should raise alarm bells well beyond PM Modi's Independence Day address: 24% of women and 23% of men in India are overweight or obese, a sharp rise from NFHS-4 (2015-16), which recorded 20.7% and 18.6% respectively. Urban obesity rates are higher, but rural areas are catching up due to increased consumption of calorie-dense foods and more sedentary lifestyles. The Indian Council of Medical Research-India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) Study (2023) also reported further facts that have a link to obesity and NCDs in India: 101 million Indians have diabetes. 136 million have prediabetes-much of it linked to excess body weight. Childhood obesity is also on the rise. AIIMS studies show a 5-14% prevalence among school-aged children, with urban private school students most at risk. Obesity's Long-Term Impact Experts warn that obesity increases the risk of multiple chronic conditions: Type 2 diabetes Hypertension & cardiovascular disease Certain cancers, including breast and colon cancer Osteoarthritis due to joint stress If left unchecked, the economic burden of obesity-related illnesses could overwhelm India's healthcare system. The World Obesity Federation predicts that by 2035, nearly 1 in 3 Indians could be overweight or obese. A National Mission For Health PM Modi framed the fight against obesity as both a personal responsibility and a collective mission. His suggestion, to cut oil usage by 10%, is simple enough to be adopted nationwide without major cost implications. "Let us pledge to gift the next generation a healthier nation," Modi urged, "where fitness is celebrated as much as festivals." His remarks also align with ongoing government campaigns like Fit India Movement and Poshan Abhiyaan, which promote healthier eating, active lifestyles, and nutritional awareness. Takeaway For Households If you are inspired by PM Modi's address and call to action, here are a few simple steps you could adopt immediately to fight the rising obesity rates in India: Measure oil before cooking, don't pour directly from the container. Opt for healthier oils (mustard, groundnut, rice bran) in moderation. Use cooking methods other than frying, like steaming, boiling, etc. to reduce oil needs. Limit deep-fried foods to occasional treats. Incorporate activity into family routines, because even 30 minutes a day helps. Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.