Uttarakhand Health Premier League
Uttarakhand Health Premier League (UHPL):
- A unique initiative by the National Health Mission (NHM) blending sports and public health awareness.
- Event Dates: October 14th to 20th, 2024.
- Venue: Maharana Pratap Sports College, Dehradun.
- Purpose: To use cricket, a popular sport, to raise awareness about critical health issues. Collaboration: Involves eight major state departments, each focusing on a specific health theme.
Health Themes Covered:
- Complete Immunization, Mental Health, Tuberculosis Eradication, Maternal Health etc.
- Impact: Combines physical fitness with public health education, setting a precedent for health-centered sports events.
India’s Healthcare Challenges:
- Issues like tuberculosis, child malnutrition, non-communicable diseases, and mental health affect under-served communities.
- Health messages often struggle to reach rural populations and young audiences effectively.
- Traditional methods (e.g., posters, public announcements) may fail to engage the public deeply.
Opportunity in Uttarakhand:
- Known for close-knit communities and a love for sports, Uttarakhand presented an ideal setting for a health campaign.
- The Uttarakhand Health Premier League (UHPL) was created to address this gap.
UHPL as a Social Messaging Tool:
- Cricket used as a tool to gather crowds and engage communities.
- Health messages delivered in an enjoyable and interactive manner.
- Aimed to educate the public on critical health issues that directly impact their lives.
India’s Healthcare Challenges:
- Issues like tuberculosis, child malnutrition, non-communicable diseases, and mental health affect under-served communities.
- Health messages often struggle to reach rural populations and young audiences effectively.
Objective:
The core objective of the “Uttarakhand Health Premier League” is to promote health awareness through a fun and engaging platform. By intertwining cricket with health themes, the tournament hopes to captivate audiences and spread crucial health messages in an innovative manner.
Overview of Participating Departments and Health Themes
- National Health Mission (NHM) – Complete Immunization
- SIDCUL, Uttarakhand – National Tobacco Control Program
- Income Tax Department – National Tuberculosis Eradication Program
- Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department – Maternal Health
- UPCL – Non-Communicable Diseases
- Post Office- Water-Borne Diseases
- Public Works Department (PWD) – Mental Health
- Chief Medical Officer, Dehradun (CMO) – Child Health