5 days ago
Put Up Oil & Sugar Boards At Ayushman Bharat Clinics, Medical Colleges, Centre Tells States
The Union government has asked states and UTs to instruct states to 'sensitise school teachers and children on healthy diet and reduced sugar/oil intake'
In a fresh move aimed at tackling the surge in obesity and lifestyle-related disorders, the Union health ministry has instructed all states and Union Territories to ensure the prominent display of oil and sugar boards across a broad spectrum of public health institutions—including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, primary and community health centres (PHCs and CHCs), district hospitals, sub-divisional facilities, and medical colleges.
The concept of these boards has been part of previous health messaging, including in all ministries and government departments' canteens.
'There is an urgent national need to combat obesity and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) through healthier habits and reduction in oil and sugar consumption," wrote Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary and Mission Director (NHM), in the letter dated June 27 as seen by News18.
Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on promoting healthy lifestyles in his address at the 38th National Games and Mann Ki Baat, the letter said India is 'experiencing a rapid rise in obesity and associated lifestyle disorders, particularly in urban areas and among children".
Beyond signage, the Centre has also asked states to take a multi-pronged approach. Officials have been directed to 'leverage" ongoing campaigns and outreach to promote awareness around healthy dietary practices and to include oil/sugar reduction messages in counselling sessions by peer educators and health workers at adolescent-friendly health clinics.
The letter further instructs states to 'sensitise school teachers and children on healthy diet and reduced sugar/oil intake" during RBSK (Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram) screening and to activate community platforms to spread the message.
'Leverage community engagement platforms under NHMs such as Mahila Arogya Samitis (MAS) and Jan Arogya Samitis (AS) to amplify the message at the community level through meetings, health promotion events, and home visits."
The letter instructs officials to use village health sanitation and nutrition days (VHSNDs) and other platforms to conduct discussions and demonstrations on healthy cooking and dietary habits.
Patnaik has asked officials to encourage convergence with education, women and child development, and local bodies 'to extend the initiative to schools, anganwadi centres, and community platforms".
She also aims to sensitise and update the health and wellness ambassadors on this subject to ensure coverage of the same during classroom sessions.
'This initiative is part of our collective effort to reinforce the principles of preventive health and to realise the vision of a 'Swasth Bharat'," the letter states, urging senior health officials across states to ensure swift implementation.
By embedding dietary nudges directly into the infrastructure of the public health and education systems, the ministry aims to create visible, constant reminders of healthy choices—especially for the country's younger population.
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