India has received recognition from the World Health Organization (WHO) for sustaining the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNTE) over the past decade.
The recognition was presented during the 79th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia. India received two regional awards, with the second recognising its efforts to address non-communicable diseases through primary healthcare.
The NCD recognition includes India’s achievement of national targets for placing people with hypertension and diabetes on protocol-based management.
WHO had validated India’s elimination of MNTE in April 2015, ahead of the global target of December 2015. MNTE aims to reduce neonatal tetanus cases to fewer than one case per 1,000 live births in every district.
The Union Health Ministry said the latest recognition reflects continued efforts in primary healthcare, disease prevention, early detection and management of priority health conditions.
In 2023, the ministry also launched an initiative to screen and place 75 million people with hypertension or diabetes on standard care by December 2025.