Bengal best state in prevention of parent-to-child HIV transmission

Kolkata: The Mamata Banerjee government has been recently certified as number one in preventing parent-to-child transmission of HIV.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted in this connection on Friday: "Today is HIV Vaccine Awareness Day. I am proud to say that the Central Govt agency NACO has recently certified Bengal as Number 1 in preventing parent-to-child transmission of HIV."

It may be mentioned that after becoming successful in e-governance, ease of doing business and MSME sector, Bengal has once again topped in the country, this time in the health sector, by preventing 16.5 lakh cases of parent-to-child transmission of HIV.

After the change of guard in the state, Bengal has witnessed a major development in the health sector, with several multi-superspeciality hospitals being set up and free treatment being provided in state-run hospitals. Free treatment is also being provided to people suffering from HIV.

In a bid to take stock on the situation at present and to discuss different issues related to the state's health sector, the Chief Minister will be holding a meeting in Nabanna Sabhaghar on May 22.

Sources said that top brass of the state Health department will be present in the meeting. At the same time, senior officials of all the medical colleges and hospitals have been directed to be present in the meeting. Heads of all the departments also have to attend the meeting.

Sources said that representatives of Rogi Kalyan Samities will also be present in the meeting. According to the sources in Nabanna, there will be a turnout of around 425 officials in the meeting.

It may be mentioned that Banerjee had held such a meeting soon after coming to power in 2011, in which block medical officers were also present. The meeting was held in Town Hall.