The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, through the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), organized a National Multi-Stakeholder Workshop on 'Fluorosis' on the occasion of National Fluorosis Day on September 9, 2026. The workshop brought together key stakeholders including representatives from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), AIIMS, National Dental Commission (NDC), State Nodal Officers and Consultants to deliberate on strengthening prevention, early detection, management and control of fluorosis under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Fluorosis (NPPCF).
The workshop focused on expanding the reach and coverage of NPPCF, strengthening programme implementation through research and innovation, and promoting multisectoral action for effective prevention and control of fluorosis. Dr. Puspa Lata, Additional DG of DGHS, provided an overview of NPPCF and its objectives toward prevention, early detection and management of fluorosis, emphasizing the importance of strong multi-sectoral coordination and real-time information sharing.
Shri Lalit Wadhwa, Joint Secretary of the Health Ministry, highlighted the importance of inter-sectoral convergence, particularly with sectors dealing with drinking water and sanitation, given the close link between excessive fluoride exposure and fluorosis occurrence. The NPPCF aims to prevent and control fluorosis through surveillance, capacity building, health education, early diagnosis and management of cases, along with appropriate inter-sectoral interventions to address excessive fluoride exposure.
The multi-stakeholder platform facilitated sharing of experiences, best practices and field-level learnings among States/UTs and other stakeholders to strengthen programme implementation. The workshop reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to strengthening public health interventions for fluorosis and promoting awareness, early detection and access to appropriate care.