The World Health Organization awarded Rajasthan government’s Medical & Health Department for its achievements in the field of tobacco control. The department’s Additional Chief Secretary, Rohit Kumar Singh (IAS), received the award at a function to mark ‘World No Tobacco Day’ in New Delhi on Friday. The Health Department of the State was the only government body in the country recognised by WHO for its tobacco-free initiatives.

NITI Aayog Member Dr V K Paul, WHO South Asia chief, Union Health Secretary Ms Preety Sudan, Additional Secretary (MoHFW)  Sanjeeva Kumar (IAS) and Joint Secretary Vikas Sheel (IAS) also attended the award function

WHO selected five organisations from the South-East Asian region for this prestigious award. WHO recognises individuals and institutions in each of the six WHO regions every year for accomplishments in the area of tobacco control. Three other organisations in the SE Asian region were selected from Thailand and Indonesia, while the Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute (New Delhi) too was among the recipients of the award.