New Delhi, Oct 2 (IANS): Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on Sunday stressed upon cleanliness and said it should not be a "one-time activity" but be "part of our daily life".

Nadda was speaking at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital as part of "Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan".

Appreciating the contribution of the hospital's sanitation staff, Nadda said: "Cleanliness should become a social movement. Awareness about cleanliness and sanitation should reach every village of this country."

"Cleanliness and sanitation should not be a one-time activity but should become a part of our daily life. All hospitals and government health facilities should endeavour to maintain cleanliness and hygiene throughout the year."

Nadda also offered "shramdaan" (voluntary labour) and reminded the Health Ministry's "Kayakalp" initiative of last year. He said: "It sets protocols for hygiene and sanitation at government health facilities in addition to implement the vision and philosophy behind Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

"Kayakalp does not apply only to physical cleanliness, but to develop and put in place systems and procedures for activities such as bio-waste disposal or protocols," Nadda said.

The minister also mentioned that Kayakalp awards were given to the central government and district hospitals in 26 states this year.

Under the central government hospitals category, the first prize was given to the Post-graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh, the second prize was given to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi, and the third prize was given to North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) in Shillong.