LG directs Health Deptt to ensure diagnostic coverage across J&K
Srinagar, Jul 8: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday asked the Health Department to make all efforts to ensure the availability of diagnostic machines, including CBNAAT and TrueNat, across the length and breadth of Jammu and Kashmir.
“This would go a long way in increasing the testing of patients and screening of the population to achieve TB Mukt J&K and TB Mukt Bharat at the earliest,” LG Sinha said, chairing a high-level meeting to review the implementation and progress of Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan in Jammu and Kashmir.
Reviewing the strategies and actionable plans aimed at accelerating TB case detection, improving treatment outcomes, identifying challenges, and ensuring inter-departmental coordination to achieve the national goal of TB elimination, he called for collaborative efforts towards eliminating tuberculosis.
“TB Mukt J&K should be our common goal,” the LG said.
He called for the use of various forms of media for generating awareness about all the aspects of TB.
LG Sinha also exhorted the Health Department to ensure that its field functionaries work tirelessly for the success of the programme.
“This must include close monitoring of all TB patients so that they regularly consume prescribed medicines and do not become drug resistant,” he said.
The LG also stressed upon use of IEC in the form of daily SMS and phone calls to the patients to ensure that they do not miss their daily dose of medicine.
He asked the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to broaden the IEC and awareness campaigns and take on board the religious leaders, healthcare professionals, sportspersons, prominent citizens, Self-Help Groups, and social organisations to reduce the stigma associated with tuberculosis.
LG Sinha directed for mapping of vulnerable populations through screening and testing on priority, enhancing diagnostics, treatment, and promoting early diagnosis.
“People should be encouraged to register themselves as Ni-Kshay Mitras,” he said.
The meeting also discussed the performance of J&K on various parameters under the National TB Elimination Programme, achievements registered under the TB Mukt Panchayat initiative, media workshops for TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, saturation of Ayushman Bharat Golden cards, and procurements of treatment and testing equipment.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Principal Secretary to LG Mandeep K Bhandari, Secretary Health and Medical Education Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Mission Director NHM J&K Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary, DCs, heads of medical and health institutions, and senior officials attended the meeting.
Shah gave a presentation on the district-wise status of treatment outcome, presumptive TB testing, and strategic plan activities being implemented across J&K.
