State Assembly Speaker, Dinesh Oraon on the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day urged to the people to support the TB awareness programme to achieve the national target of eliminating this serious infectious bacterial disease by 2025 here on Friday. He said that the eradication of TB should be considered a social responsibility by every one of us.
“Besides the support from the government and administrative units, it is also the social responsibility of every individual to support the mission taken up by the government. Focus must be given on utilizing latest technology and up-gradation of government hospitals,” said Oraon, while addressing the stakeholders in the revised national TB control programme titled ‘Joining hands for a TB-free Jharkhand’ in Capital City.
“The health Department must also brainstorm on the aspects that include creating awareness about the disease among the BPl families while ensuring the treatment of patients in time-bound manner. Preparation of model guidelines to regulate the working of private hospitals must also be addressed,” he added.
An Annual status report 2016 (RNTCP, Jharkhand) prepared on the present status of TB in Jharkhand was also unveiled on the occasion by the dignitaries present on the occasion. According to the report, around 1.93 lakh TB suspects were found in Jharkhand. Approximately, 36,621 TB cases were notified in 2016 while 392 Drug Resistant- TB (DRTB) cases were disposed.
The programme was organized by the Department of Health and Family Welfare in association with USAID and REACH. Emphasis was laid on commitment to identify cases.
that is helpful in identifying TB cases mostly affecting people falling in the age group 15-35 years that also adversely affects the family income.
State TB officer (STO), Dr. Rajkumar Beck mentioned that approximately 400 microscopic centers are required for proper screening of the patients including 260 TB units for proper dialysis. The STO further stated that to reach maximum number of people even in the remotest area of the State, staff crunch issue must be resolved on priority basis. Similarly, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, Sudhir Tripathi focused on both clinical dimensions like vaccines, use of technology in eliminating the disease and non-clinical dimensions that includes awareness programme while addressing the gathering.