Funds would never be a problem in our fight against TB: Nadda

Speaking at an event to mark the World Tuberculosis Day, he also stressed on the need of including people's representatives at various levels in fighting the scourge of tuberculosis.

"Let me assure you, funds has never been a problem and will never be a problem. It is the issue of filling of the gaps. It is the improvement of systems. Problems have not arisen due to lack of funds, it has come because either we did not monitor or we could not make it effective. We have to plug the gaps," the Health Minister said.

He said that although the Centre is providing funds, there are many states, where it is no proper utilisation and therefore, the system is also a very important factor which has to be taken into consideration.

He also said various stakeholders, including people's representatives at various levels could play a "crucial" role in fighting the disease in the country.

"All stakeholders have their own constituencies of influences with their own significant impact factor. Their involvement will enrich policy-making and effective implementation of the TB control programme in the country," he said.

Nadda said that although there have been many challenges, the Ministry through the Revised National TB Control programme (RNTCP) has been able to achieve significant achievements in terms of treating people and saving precious lives.

"We have faced challenges, we have done pretty good and we have to do good. This is a continuous process. Challenge is in continuation and the answer should also be in continuation. New innovations continue to take place. We have to be consistently vigilant and fighting against these disease," he said.

Nadda also launched the website of the National TB Control Programme, released the RNTCP Annual Report 2015 along with the special issue on TB of the Global Policy Journal. He also launched the project on "Innovative-intensified TB cases finding and appropriate treatment at high burden ART Centres in India. 

He said that through innovations in systems, constant vigilance, effective surveillance and sturdy monitoring combined with awareness among the masses regarding RNTCP, TB can be controlled.

"RNTCP and DOT has done good but we cannot stop at this juncture. Continuous System innovation is very essential. Continuous learning process has to go on," he said

The Health Minister highlighted that inter-sectoral convergence is a crucial component of his Ministry's policies where various sectors and ministries handling sanitation, water, environment will be brought on board for an all-inclusive and comprehensive policymaking for health issues.

He said that his Ministry has been interacting with MPs to keep them informed about the various initiatives and to seek their active involvement in creating awareness regarding not only the available cure but also spread message of preventive health.

He said that one-fifth of the world's tuberculosis population is in India but the country has been able to counter this issue in the "right perspective" as around 8 crore TB patients have been tested now while a "good" number of people have been treated through RNTCP programme.

On this occasion, the "TB Harega, Desh Jeetega" campaign, featuring Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan was also launched nationwide by the Health Ministry.

The actor, who was unable to attend the event, sent a special message reaffirming his support to the campaign against a disease he himself had battled in 2000.

"It is a matter of great pride and honour for me to be associated, in my small capacity, with our country's dedicated efforts towards the goal of a TB-free India.

"This World TB Day, I urge my fellow countrymen to be more vigilant against the causes and symptoms of the disease, so that we can fight it with greater success," he said in his message.

Central TB Division Annual Status Report "TB India 2015" which outlines developments, achievements and new statistics from the government's RNTCP, providing TB care to notified patients across India through 4 lakh directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS) centres was also launched.

A comprehensive strategy for the implementation of innovative, intensified TB case findings which will reduce the burden of the disease among people living with HIV was also launched.

Officials said that the strategy will also aim at providing appropriate treatment in 30 select high-burden anti-retroviral therapy (ART) centres in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

"It also plans to provide information communication technology-based treatment adherence support to patients, Isoniazid preventive therapy to People Living with HIV-AIDS (PLHA) but without TB and complete Air Borne Infection Control risk assessment in all 30 ART centres," an official said.

Source: Outlook