Sri Vijaya Puram, June 23: In a major step towards achieving the goal of a TB-free district, the District Administration, South Andaman in collaboration with the Directorate of Health Services has launched a comprehensive and time-bound campaign to strengthen detection, treatment and community engagement under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP).
All Medical Superintendents (MS) and Medical Officers In-Charge (MOICs) have been directed to mobilize Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), Community Health Officers (CHOs) and other field-level staff for active identification of TB suspects especially among high-risk and vulnerable groups. Each health facility shall prepare and submit a revised list of suspected cases with mandatory and immediate entry of the data into the Nikshay Portal, the national TB surveillance system.
Further, all Health Centres have been instructed to chalk out a detailed micro-plan within the next 15 days, ensuring door-to-door mobilisation and TB screening of the target population. The involvement of all units of the Health Department along with key line Departments such as ICDS, Rural Development, Education and Labour is being ensured to widen the net of detection and referral in accordance with national guidelines.
To facilitate coordination and ensure close monitoring, a District TB Control Room is being established with immediate effect and will be responsible for collecting daily progress reports from all health facilities, identifying implementation bottlenecks, and guiding corrective measures in real-time.
Recognizing the importance of community-based support for TB patients NGOs and civil society partners will be encouraged to adopt TB patients, support treatment adherence and assist in nutritional and psychological support, thereby enhancing treatment outcomes.
The District Administration, South Andaman and Directorate of Health Services have jointly emphasized that all TB-related interventions must be executed in a strict mission-mode approach with fixed timelines and measurable outcomes.
Shri Arjun Sharma, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman has strongly urged the general public to support this critical public health mission. Anyone experiencing symptoms such as persistent cough for more than two weeks, fever, night sweats, weight loss or general weakness has been advised to visit the nearest Government health facility for free TB screening and treatment. Community participation is key to eliminating TB and the District Administration, South Andaman has appealed to all citizens to come forward, cooperate with health workers, and contribute to a TB-free future.