NEW DELHI — The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), operating through the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), convened a National Multi-Stakeholder Workshop on Fluorosis to mark National Fluorosis Day.
The workshop brought together multi-sectoral institutional leadership to strengthen real-time surveillance, capacity building, early clinical diagnosis, and inter-sectoral convergence under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Fluorosis (NPPCF).
The inaugurals were led by Dr. Puspa Lata, Additional Director General (DGHS), and Shri Lalit Wadhwa, Joint Secretary (MoHFW), emphasizing real-time data integration with potable water and sanitation programs to eliminate excessive fluoride intake.
NPPCF Strategic Convergence & Programmatic Matrix
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Organizing Nodal Authority: Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) | Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW).
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Event Purpose: National Multi-Stakeholder Workshop on Fluorosis (National Fluorosis Day).
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Key Inter-Institutional Participants:
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Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS): Potable water provision and fluoride mitigation in groundwater.
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Research & Academic Bodies: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), AIIMS, and the National Dental Commission (NDC).
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State Level Implementation: State Nodal Officers, District Consultants, and Public Health Officials.
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Executive Leadership Address:
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Dr. Puspa Lata (Addl. DG, DGHS): Highlighted multi-sectoral coordination, early detection metrics, and real-time data sharing across surveillance nodes.
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Shri Lalit Wadhwa (Joint Secretary, MoHFW): Emphasized convergence with drinking water and sanitation infrastructure to target root sources of chronic fluoride exposure.
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Core NPPCF Operational Directives:
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Expanded field surveillance, laboratory infrastructure (ion meters), and community-level screening.
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Capacity building for ASHA workers, Anganwadi staff, and medical officers.
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Comprehensive management of dental, skeletal, and non-skeletal fluorosis through therapeutic nutrition and reconstructive procedures.
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