Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Doordarshan today signed a Memorandum of Understanding for enhanced awareness on public health issues. The MoU was signed by Additional Secretary of the Ministry K B Agarwal and Director General of Doordarshan C. Lalrosanga in the presence of Health Secretary B P Sharma.<br/><br/>Speaking to media, Mr Sharma said, it is an unique opportunity for creating awareness on crucial public health issues among the masses, especially in the rural and far flung areas where the reach of Doordarshan is very high. He said, this is for the first time that such a strategic partnership agreement has been signed between a Ministry and Doordarshan.<br/><br/>With this partnership, Doordarshan has agreed to provide a significantly high amount of bonus airtime to the Ministry for its Information, Education and Communication, IEC activities. The Secretary also stated that IEC activities form a very important component of any health policy as the behavior change that awareness brings forth, plays a very significant role in impacting the health outcomes. The enhanced broadcast airtime shall be fruitfully utilized to create a health seeking environment in the country through focus on issues such as handwashing, breastfeeding, shunning tobacco, drugs, alcohol and adopting healthy habits. He added that preventive and promotive healthcare have been the center of the IEC activities of the Ministry.