The Punjab Government today organized the state level function to commemorate World Health Day and World TB Day-2018 at District Hospital Mohali. On this occasion Health and Family Welfare Minister Mr. Brahm Mohindra flagged off the RNTCP mobile van to conduct TB test in high risk areas.Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Mohindra said that in a bid to eliminate TB in State by year 2022, this van would move around across the state to facilitate testing and reporting of TB at the doorsteps of suspected patients who cannot visit health center.He said that to ensure daily progress reporting and rapid recording of TB patients, smart tablets have also been distributed to the RNTCP staff today.He further stated that free diagnostics like Chest X-ray, sputum microscopy and CBNAAT testing were being provided to all suspected patients and treatment is also being provided free of cost to all confirmed TB patients. He said that soon patient on treatment for TB would also get amount of Rs. 500 per month for nutritional support, as good nutrition plays an important role to cure of TB in suffering patients.Besides this, while launching the shorter treatment regimen for MDR TB patients in the state, Mr. Brahm Mohindra said that as per Government of India latest Gazette notification issued dated March 16th, 2018, it is mandatory for all Private Practitioners, Doctors, Medical Labs, Chemists and Druggists prescribing/dispensing anti TB medicines would notify TB case to nearest health facility.
He said in case of failing to notify a TB case to Nodal Officer may lead to six months to 2 years imprisonment, or with fine or with both under the Section 269 & 270 of IPC (45 of 1860).Mr. Mohindra said that still a large number of TB patients go unreported and according to estimates around 20,000 cases are being treated in the private sector every year in the state. He said that instruction have been already issued to the civil surgeons to take action against institutes not complying with orders of Government of India in this regard. All those engaged in diagnosis and treatment of TB patients must ensure notification of TB patients to Government Health authorities and District TB Officers otherwise any lapse on this front would be taken very seriously and stern action as per law would be taken against defaulters, said Mr. Mohindra.He further said that this is matter of serious concern as TB is contagious disease and around 2 million of people are suffering from TB in India. Though, affected people who were not diagnosed are most dangerous for the society. Considering the circumstances, health department is being conducted the campaign across the state under which special teams visiting the high risk areas than took the samples of suspected patients for early diagnose.As part of function, he also flagged off a rally to generate awareness about TB in Community.Among other who were present on the occasion included PSHFW Mrs. Anjali Bhawra, MD NHM, Mr. Varun Roojam, Director Health Services Dr. Jaspal Kaur, Director Family Welfare Dr. Naresh Kansa, State TB Program Officer Dr Naresh Sharma and Civil Surgeon Mohali Dr. Rita Bhawdwaj.
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