Kerala bags UN award for 'Outstanding contribution' in controlling non-communicable diseases

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerela has won a United Nations award for its ''outstanding contribution'' towards the non-communicable diseases-related sustainable development goals.

This year, the UN Interagency Task Force (UNIATF) award on prevention and control of non-communicable diseases was announced by the World Health Organization director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The award recognizes achievements during 2019 on the multi-sectoral action in the prevention and control of NCDs, mental health, and the wider NCD-related sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Speaking on the achievement, Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja said that the award is a recognition of the vigorous service of the state's people in the healthcare sector.

For the first time, Kerela has been recognized for this annual award by the UN.

The State government released a statement saying that the award is a recognition of the lifestyle disease control mechanism in Kerela, and the free treatment and services received by a huge section of the population. Further, the award was also considered for the state-of-the-art lung disease control program, cancer treatment program and paralysis control program.

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