Gujarat Health Minister Showcases Government Efforts to Eliminate TB
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Synopsis
The Gujarat Health Minister, Rushikesh Patel, recently led a seminar in Gandhinagar as part of the '100 Days TB Eradication Campaign,' aiming to promote awareness and support for TB patients. He highlighted the state's free treatment initiatives and the importance of public cooperation in combating tuberculosis.
Key Takeaways
- Gujarat's TB Eradication Campaign is actively raising awareness.
- Free TB diagnosis and treatment are available at all government health facilities.
- The Nikshay Poshan Yojana offers monthly financial assistance to TB patients.
- Statistics show a worrying increase in TB cases in Gujarat.
- Public cooperation is essential for TB elimination.
Gandhinagar, Feb 14 (NationPress) As part of the '100 Days TB Eradication Campaign', a special event was held on Friday in Gandhinagar, chaired by Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel.
This gathering included a seminar with 'TB-cured patients', 'TB patients', and 'TB champions', aimed at enhancing awareness and supporting those fighting the illness.
The minister underscored the remarkable initiatives taken by the Gujarat Health Department, crediting the recovery of many patients to the state's proactive measures.
He pointed out that TB was historically regarded as a 'royal disease', posing challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Yet, through programs like the 'National Tuberculosis Eradication Program', overcoming this illness has become feasible.
Patel affirmed that both diagnosis and treatment of TB are now provided free of charge at all government health facilities throughout Gujarat.
'TB is neither a royal disease nor a challenge we cannot overcome; it is completely curable', Patel remarked.
He congratulated those who have successfully beaten the disease and urged all TB patients to adhere to their six-month treatment plan for complete recovery.
Moreover, he highlighted that TB can be eradicated through public collaboration and government efforts.
To ensure TB patients receive proper nutrition during their medical treatment, a financial aid of Rs 1,000 monthly is granted under the Nikshay Poshan Yojana until their treatment concludes. To date, over 7.68 lakh TB patients in Gujarat have benefited from this program, with financial assistance exceeding Rs 246 crore disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
In 1993, Gujarat was one of the first states to implement the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP), which introduced the DOTS strategy - Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course. This initiative focused on standardized treatment protocols, direct observation of treatment, and thorough monitoring and reporting. The early integration of RNTCP in Gujarat established a framework for organized TB control strategies in the state. However, despite ongoing efforts, recent statistics reveal a troubling rise in TB cases in Gujarat.
In 2020, the state registered 173 TB patients per lakh of population, which surged to 213 per lakh by 2022, representing a significant 17 percent increase over two years.
The total reported TB cases climbed from 1,20,560 in 2020 to 1,51,912 in 2022.
Additionally, from 2019 to June 2024, Gujarat experienced over 5,000 TB-related fatalities annually, averaging about 15 deaths each day.
