Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal, Jatin Kishore, today inaugurated a TrueNat Machine under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) at Primary Health Centre (PHC) Manigam, marking a significant step towards strengthening tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment in the district.
Speaking on the occasion, the DC highlighted the importance of early and accurate diagnosis in the fight against tuberculosis. He emphasized that the installation of such modern diagnostic tools will greatly support the district’s efforts in achieving the national goal of TB elimination, while ensuring timely, accessible, and quality healthcare for the people.
The newly installed TrueNat machine is a four-module molecular diagnostic device capable of conducting four tests simultaneously, delivering results within two hours. The advanced machine will not only help in confirming TB-positive cases but also play a crucial role in detecting drug-resistant tuberculosis, which earlier would take up to two months to diagnose using conventional methods.
An indigenous, battery-operated diagnostic system, the TrueNat machine is suited for uninterrupted testing even during limited power supply. Its deployment is expected to significantly reduce diagnostic delays, enabling early treatment initiation and improving patient outcomes.
DC urged the officers of the Health Department to ensure optimum utilization of the machine to ensure maximum patient screening and presumptive testing. Later, DC took a round of the Casualty, OPD, Dental section and X-ray unit of the PHC Manigam to take stock of their functioning. He also took feedback from patients regarding the facilities available at the Primary Health Centre.