In an effort to increase the scope of tuberculosis (TB) screening and testing in Uttar Pradesh, the Yogi Adityanath government conducted a 10 -day special active case finding (ACF) campaign across the state from November 23 to December 5.
Under this campaign, micro-plans were prepared for 20 per cent of urban and rural settlements, and high-risk areas in each district, leading to the collection of sputum samples from 2,78,024 people showing symptoms of TB during door-to-door screening.
As part of this initiative, TB was confirmed in 10,015 individuals and their treatment has been started. Among those tested for sputum, TB was confirmed in 5,342 people, while X-ray identified TB in 4,673 individuals.
Joint Director (TB)/State Tuberculosis Control Programme Officer, Dr Shailendra Bhatnagar, said the campaign had been extended to include various institutions such as orphanages, old age homes, Nari Niketans, child protection homes, madrasas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, prisons and identified places like vegetable markets, fruit markets, labour markets, under-construction projects, brick kilns, stone crushers, mines and weekly markets, among others.
He added that blood sugar, UDST and HIV tests were also conducted on patients confirmed with TB.
During the treatment of TB patients, under the Nikshay Poshan Yojana, a monthly allowance of Rs 500 will be provided and they will also be connected with a Nikshay Mitra to receive nutritional support and emotional assistance throughout their treatment.
Dr Bhatnagar said, “If cough persists for more than two weeks, accompanied by fever, weight loss and loss of appetite, then it is essential to undergo TB testing. Testing for TB is available free of cost at government hospitals. If TB is confirmed in the test, do not panic because its complete cure is possible. According to the doctor’s advice, take the prescribed medication regularly. Medication for TB can be obtained for free from a TB hospital, DOT centre or local ASHA worker.”
Dr Bhatnagar further said that the active case finding campaign also received support from village representatives in the TB search initiative.
Under the 10-day special campaign, a maximum of 477 TB patients were detected in Kushinagar, 457 in Maharajganj, 417 in Etah, 389 in Agra and 367 in Gorakhpur. In Chitrakoot district, at least 11 people were diagnosed with TB, while 27 in Shamli, 28 in Sonbhadra, 35 in Muzaffarnagar and 36 in Jhansi were diagnosed with TB.
