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Health Secretary Reviews AIIMS Facilities During National Cleanliness Fortnight

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava visited AIIMS Mangalagiri to review key hospital services as part of the Swachhata Pakhwada 2026 cleanliness drive. The fortnight-long initiative, inspired by the Prime Minister's vision, aims to promote a clean and sustainable work environment across institutions. This visit coincides with other recent government actions to bolster public health preparedness, including the launch of an Integrated Disease Surveillance Program. Furthermore, the National Disaster Response Force has been trained to manage biological emergencies, highlighting a coordinated national strategy.

Key Points: Health Secretary Reviews AIIMS in Swachhata Pakhwada 2026

  • Health Secretary reviews AIIMS facilities
  • Part of Swachhata Pakhwada 2026 drive
  • Focus on cleanliness and patient care
  • New disease surveillance program launched
  • NDRF trained for bio-emergencies
3 min read

Health secy reviews AIIMS Mangalagiri facilities during Swachhata Pakhwada 2026

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava reviews AIIMS Mangalagiri facilities, highlighting cleanliness and healthcare quality during Swachhata Pakhwada.

"The visit underscored the focus on cleanliness, patient experience, and strengthening quality healthcare delivery - MoHFW"

New Delhi, April 10

Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava reviewed the key hospital facilities, including OPD, ABHA registration, radiology, oncology, and emergency services, during her visit to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Mangalagiri, the Ministry of Health said.

The visit is a part of Swachhata Pakhwada 2026, being held from April 1 to 15.

"During her visit to AIIMS Mangalagiri for #SwachhataPakhwada (1-15 April 2026), Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava reviewed key hospital facilities, including OPD, ABHA registration, radiology, oncology, and emergency services. The visit underscored the focus on cleanliness, patient experience, and strengthening quality healthcare delivery," the MoHFW said on X.

The "Swachhata Pakhwada" is a concept inspired by the Prime Minister's vision. It is a fortnight-long cleanliness drive aimed at promoting the spirit of Swachh Bharat and fostering a clean and sustainable work environment.

Earlier on March 24, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare launched the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP). The initiative aims to provide early warnings and ensure prompt response to any bio-emergencies, including outbreaks and other public health crises.

To streamline crisis response, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been developed for effective management of such emergencies. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also issued guidelines addressing biological disasters, including bio-warfare and bio-terrorism. These guidelines outline potential bio-agents, their key characteristics, epidemiological clues for early detection, and protocols for prevention and treatment (NDMA).

Further strengthening operational readiness, battalions of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been trained to manage bio-emergencies efficiently. Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai noted that the initiative is a step forward in ensuring coordinated, nationwide preparedness against biological threats. (ANI)

According to the Health Ministry, noted that the visit is a part of Swachhata Pakhwada 2026, being held from April 1 to 15.

"During her visit to AIIMS Mangalagiri for #SwachhataPakhwada (1-15 April 2026), Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava reviewed key hospital facilities, including OPD, ABHA registration, radiology, oncology, and emergency services. The visit underscored the focus on cleanliness, patient experience, and strengthening quality healthcare delivery," the MoHFW said on X.

The "Swachhata Pakhwada" is a concept inspired by the Prime Minister's vision. It is a fortnight-long cleanliness drive aimed at promoting the spirit of Swachh Bharat and fostering a clean and sustainable work environment.

Earlier on March 24, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare launched the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP). The initiative aims to provide early warnings and ensure prompt response to any bio-emergencies, including outbreaks and other public health crises.

To streamline crisis response, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been developed for effective management of such emergencies. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also issued guidelines addressing biological disasters, including bio-warfare and bio-terrorism. These guidelines outline potential bio-agents, their key characteristics, epidemiological clues for early detection, and protocols for prevention and treatment (NDMA).

Further strengthening operational readiness, battalions of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been trained to manage bio-emergencies efficiently. Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai noted that the initiative is a step forward in ensuring coordinated, nationwide preparedness against biological threats.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The integration of disease surveillance with the Swachhata drive is smart. Cleanliness is the first step in preventing many outbreaks. As someone who has used public hospitals, I can say a clean environment makes a huge difference to the patient's mental state. Hope these SOPs are implemented on the ground level.
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Priya S
Swachhata Pakhwada is a great initiative, but sustainability is key. We see a flurry of activity for 15 days and then things go back to normal. The real test is maintaining that cleanliness standard year-round. Also, training NDRF for bio-emergencies is a very forward-thinking move. 👍
V
Vikram M
While reviews and guidelines are important, our primary health centres in villages are in dire need of basic facilities and staff. Hope the focus on premier institutes like AIIMS trickles down to the grassroots. The IDSP program sounds promising if it can actually provide early warnings for diseases like dengue and malaria.
A
Aman W
The article mentions oncology services. Cancer care is becoming a critical need across India. Expanding quality oncology departments in AIIMS branches outside Delhi is a welcome step. More power to the health secretary for taking stock.
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Karthik V
Respectfully, I have to point out a gap. The visit is about cleanliness and emergency preparedness, but what about the chronic shortage of doctors and nurses? Clean hospitals are empty without skilled staff to run them. The government must address the human resource crisis in healthcare with equal urgency.

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