The Odisha government will launch an intensive tuberculosis (TB) screening drive in 13,271 high-risk villages and urban wards under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan–100 Day Campaign 2.0, with focus on X-ray-based screening, preventive treatment and regular follow-up of vulnerable populations. District administrations have also been directed to appoint a senior nodal officer for every block to oversee implementation of the campaign.
The decision was taken at the second meeting of the PRAYAS (Proactive Governance Attempt for Yielding Results and Advancing Social Sector) platform, chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg at Lok Seva Bhawan on Wednesday.
The meeting reviewed the implementation of flagship programmes in the health, education, women and child development, and social welfare sectors.
The state government intensified its efforts on improving health, education and nutrition outcomes through PRAYAS, a monitoring mechanism modelled on the Centre’s PRAGATI platform to ensure regular reviews, prompt corrective interventions and measurable improvements in social sector indicators.
Reviewing maternal and child healthcare, the Health Department informed that maternal and institutional newborn deaths declined between January and June this year, attributing the improvement to regular field monitoring and timely corrective measures.
Garg directed officials to strictly adhere to referral protocols, ensure adequate deployment of doctors and paramedical staff, maintain uninterrupted availability of medicines and essential supplies, and strengthen infection-control practices in labour rooms, operation theatres and neonatal care units.
District Collectors were instructed to hold monthly review meetings with Chief District Medical and Public Health Officers, inspect hospitals regularly and take immediate corrective action to address implementation gaps. State-level teams will continue field visits to monitor compliance.
The meeting also reviewed measures to improve learning outcomes based on the 2024-25 Performance Grading Index (PGI).
Districts were directed to fill teacher vacancies, strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy, re-enrol school dropouts, operationalise higher secondary classes in upgraded schools and make hostels fully functional through coordinated efforts involving teachers, parents, communities and line departments.
The review further emphasised convergence among departments to achieve measurable improvements in Odisha’s health, education and nutrition indicators through a result-oriented governance framework.