the goan I network
MARGAO
GOACAN will observe a public health awareness campaign for consumers from March 24 on World TB Day. The month long awareness campaign which will have the involvement of Consumer Forums from different villages will end on 25th April World Malaria Day.
GOACAN Coordinator, Roland Martins said during the awareness campaign Consumer Forum volunteers will visit the Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Urban Health Centres (UHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Sub Health Centre to to get an understanding of the challenges faced by the health personnel in providing services to consumers.
He said special attention will be given to activate the Village Health, Sanitation & Nutrition Committee at the Panchayat level, ensure meetings are held, minutes written and Action Taken Report (ATR) submitted to the Gram Sabha.
The volunteers will submit proposals to the forthcoming Gram Sabha meeting on the need to scale up access for prevention and treatment of TB, prevention of malaria and dengue, public participation in cleanliness and sanitation drives, prevention of rabies and a strict control on the sale of tobacco products in the village.
Volunteers will distribute information slips and leaflets, display posters and create awareness on the rights and responsibilities of consumers towards Public Health by highlighting the importance of participating in the observation of Village Health Days, activities of the Village Garbage Management Committee and Village Water and Sanitation Committee.
During the Awareness Campaign forum volunteers will also popularize the Goa Public Health Act 1985 and Rules 1987 and the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003. The mandate of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA),
National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), National Health Mission (NHM) and the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence will also be highlighted.
