Representatives of 33 mining companies and industries as well as senior officials from departments
of industries and mines, and health attended a state-level consultative meeting-cum-workshop on TBorganised by REACH in Ranchi today. The meeting was organised in association with the State TB Cell, Jharkhand, and supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Speaking at the meeting STO Dr.RakeshDayal, said, “Health Department alone can’t fight TB, every stakeholder has to play their part and role industries are every important”
Miners and industrial workers are considered vulnerable populations for TB according to India’s National Strategic Plan 2017-2025. The objective of the meeting was to sensitise various stakeholders on the Employer Led Model (ELM) for TB care and prevention.
Under the ELM, prospective employers will implement a comprehensive program on TB control, care and prevention by integrating awareness, health education and service delivery within existing systems, structures and resources.
“The issue is very sensitive and severe, and mining areas have 10 times more cases than normal areas,” said Secretary, Dept of Industries, Mines and Geology, Aboobacker Siddique.
“CSR can play a major role in eliminating TB by focussing on TB and nutritional support. We are ready for any kind of collaboration for TB with industries and there is no dearth of fund,” he said.
The meeting discussed the scope of cooperation and convergence between the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) and industries/mining companies.Reaching out to vulnerable populations has been a major hurdle for TB control in India andthe RNTCP aims to do the same with the help of the ELM model.
“Today you will get machines very easily but cannot get trained employees very easily, so if an employee gets TB, his work will be hampered and hence we need to sensitize industries properly on TB,” said Secretary, Dept. of Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, Dr.Nitin Madan Kulkarni.
The dignitaries who participated in the meeting included Aboobacker Siddique, Secretary, Dept. of Industries, Mines and Geology, Govt. of Jharkhand, Dr Nitin Kulkarni, Secretary, Department of Health, Medical Education & Family Welfare, Govt of Jharkhand, Dr. Rakesh Dayal, State TB Officer, Jharkhand.