Highlighting the need to maintain oneself healthy, Krishna district Collector A. Md. Imtiaz said that people must refrain from indulging in activities that can be detrimental to health.

Addressing the media after flagging off a rally to mark the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, the Collector said from September 15 to October 2, awareness programmes would be held at all Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, government hospitals and other government offices. The aim of the programme was to inform the locals about the benefits of maintaining good health and the consequences of indulging in activities such as consuming liquor and cigarettes, which could harm health. “All of us must live healthy and ensure that we pass this message on to the people throughout the district for these 17 days via awareness programmes,” the Collector said.

The rally was attended by close to 200 students of the St. Ann’s College of Nursing, and employees of the YSR Aarogyasri scheme.

“Many pregnant women and children in rural and semi urban areas lack access to basic healthcare. Our aim is to reach out to them via awareness programmes and to ensure that all children are given polio drops at the correct age,” said a teacher from the St. Ann’s College of Nursing.

Curbing tobacco use

“We will be conducting awareness programmes at the district and mandal levels. With regard to tackling consumption of tobacco, a tobacco cessation centre has already been set up in the Government Dental hospital here and we plan to set up another centre at the district hospital,” said Dr. J. Usha Rani, Additional District Medical and Health Officer, Aids and Leprosy.

Joint Collector-2 K. Mohan Kumar and State Programme Officers Dr. Shalini Devi and Dr. Nageswara Rao were present.