HEALTH IS THE BIGGEST WEALTH

THE CURRENT HEALTH SECRETARY OF TAMIL NADU, J. RADHAKRISHNAN WHO IS KNOWN FOR HIS RELIEF WORK IN NAGAPATTINAM AND THANJAVUR TALKS ABOUT THE HEALTH RELIEF MEASURES IN THE STATE AND HOW HIS TEAM HAS BEEN WORKING TIRELESSLY DURING THE TOUGH TIMES

-  Namita Gupta

What are some of the steps you're taking to ensure health and sanitary conditions in the state?

We are a team comprising of government and local bodies and health is one department that needs support of all the departments. Public health is a mixture of so many activities. And this is one department, which technically needs the support of all the departments, though we are the primary focus. Public health is a mixture of so many activities, including individual choices, and there has to be a demand for health. On sanitation side, we work very closely with local bodies because the impact is on health. We work closely with all the other departments. All the finance commission grants are routed through the local bodies. Covid has taught us that all the department including NGOs and people have to work together. Similarly on water supply and other disease aspect, including maternal and child health, advocacy is very important. People need to understand that they need to change their behaviour. And following hygienic practice is not doing any favour for someone else. It is something which they are doing for themselves and the society and family. So health is something where we work very closely with everybody. People also should realise that we all have to work together.

How is a typical work day in your everyday life like? What does your work profile entail as the Health Secretary of Tamil Nadu?