Punjab to launch toll free helpline for TB patients

Punjab Government on Friday said it will soon launch a toll free helpline number to reach out to tuberculosis patients across the State.“Any suspected patient can call or even give a missed call on the helpline number and government health workers will contact the person to check the status of TB as well as provide medical intervention,” said the state Health and Family Welfare Minister Surjit Kumar Jayani.

He said that anybody who dials helpline number — 1800-116-666 — or gives a missed call will get desired information.“If the problem is of serious nature, the caller would be given the number of concerned District TB Officer (DTO) for further investigation,” he said.“In the absence of this system, patients had to face lot of difficulties to get information regarding TB. Control of this toll free helpline number would be at Gurgaon,” he said.

A massive mass awareness campaign through multimedia would be taken up as part of the ‘Call to Action for a TB Free India’ programme, he said.He also appealed to various stakeholders across the private sector, civil society members, experts, doctors, patients and caregivers to be a part of the movement to make India TB free.

The Minister stated that to achieve the vision of TB free Punjab, the department would ensure 90 per cent coverage of BCG vaccine under ‘Mission Indradhanush’.He also asked the health officers at the district level to employ extensive use of rapid diagnostic kits and active screening of high risk population and ensure treatment.