Minister for Health and Medical Education, ARI Trainings, Ch Lal Singh Friday directed the Health Department to come up with a comprehensive proposal regarding extending financial assistance to the Tuberculosis (TB) patients and submit it to the concerned quarter so that funds could be arranged for the purpose.The direction was given by the Minister while chairing Central Internal Evaluation meeting of the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) here.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Ms Asiya Naqash, Additional Director General TB, Central TB Division, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Secretary Health and Medical Education, Principal Government Medical College Srinagar, Chairman State Task Force for Medical Colleges J&K, Mission Director NRHM, Project Director AIDS Control Society, Director Health Services Jammu, State TB Officer Kashmir, Jammu, Consultant Headquarter, RNTCP J&K and other representatives of concerned organizations also participated in the meeting.
Ch Lal Singh directed the officers to maintain close coordination so that the RNTCP is properly implemented in Jammu and Kashmir. He asked the concerned officers to constitute State and District Level Coordination Committees and State Level Technical Working Group for TB/HIV collaborative activities within a month.Detailed discussions were held on the visibility of the programme and availability of free TB diagnostic and treatment services under RNTCP. The Minister called for giving wide publicity especially in the far-flung areas through print and electronic media about the facilities and free treatment being provided to the TB patients under RNTCP.
Ch Lal Singh also directed the officers to ensure that diagnostic and other equipment is available in laboratory of every health institutions in the State. Minister of State for Health Ms Aisya in her address said that the need of the hour is to further improve the implementation of RNTCP on ground. She urged the concerned to ensure proper care of TB patients in all Health Institutions of the State.Earlier, the Additional Director General TB, Central TB Division, New Delhi briefed the meeting about the activities under the programme.