Principal Secretary, Health department Nidhi Khare today urged society to be alert and join the health machinery in active case finding so that the nation can achieve the target of a TB-free India by 2025. Khare was addressing TB survivors and Champions, who announced the formation of a TB Champions’ network in Jharkhand, at anadvocacy mentorship planningworkshop organised by REACH in Ranchi on Saturday.
“Diagnosis of active cases is important and essential. There is an urgent need to spread awareness, not just through practitioners and administrators but also through volunteers and influencers. One should not wait for incentives to embark on this task. Everyone, from the sahiya, lab technician and patient to authorities should work together to bring about change,” Khare said.
She proposed the formation of an inclusive health plan for improved quality of treatment and patient care. Khare emphasised that the State health department is open for suggestions from the community.
“We need to adopt different treatment strategies in rural and urban areas as the needs of patients are different. Counselling is the other important aspect to make a patient feel that he/she is being looked after. I hope this workshop and network helps to spread the message about TB symptoms and that TB is completely curable,” Khare added.
As the initial step towards forming a network of TB survivors and champions in Jharkhand, a mentorship programme is being rolled out by REACH. Fifteen TB champions, including mentors, attended the advocacy mentorship workshop held today. Over the next six months, these Champions will work with a mentor to take forward their advocacy on TB.The group first came together at a capacity-building workshop organised by REACH in Ranchi in December 2017, bringing together people who fought bravely against TB and who have consented to help eliminate TB from their state and country.
State TB Officer, Dr Rakesh Dayal, said, “The mentorship programme will be an aid to the system in increasing notifications and the champions will be an inspiration to others.”
The TB Champions are from different districts of Jharkhand. Since the capacity-building workshop, they have continued to engage at their village and block levels by encouraging screening, detection and correct treatment for others affected by TB.
The work plans discussed at the workshop primarily focus on improving awareness on TB, its symptoms, and access to services by linking people to treatment offered in the government systems in their village and wards.