Sri Vijaya Puram, July 2: In a significant step towards eliminating tuberculosis (TB) from the South Andaman district under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman Shri. Arjun Sharma, IAS, convened a crucial meeting with private medical practitioners today. The meeting aimed to mobilize greater participation from the private healthcare sector in TB notification, patient support and awareness generation.
The DC(SA) emphasized the importance of collaborative action between public and private stakeholders in eradicating TB and asked to identify the vulnerable populace followed by screening and treatment as per protocol, as envisioned under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP). The District TB Officer (DTO) briefed the participants about the current TB burden, the targets under the campaign and the critical role of private practitioners in early detection and reporting of TB cases.
All private practitioners were urged to enrol on the Ni-kshay portal (https://nikshay.in), the government platform for TB case notification and management. They were also requested to submit daily reports in the prescribed format to the District Control Room. The key symptoms to watch for include fever, cough with mucus, sudden weight loss, night sweats, blood in sputum, chest pain, swelling in the neck or armpits, feeling weak or tired, chronic illness, sudden physical changes, failure to gain weight in children, and decreased activity or playfulness in children.
Additionally, private practitioners were encouraged to register as Ni-kshay Mitras under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, adopting TB patients on a voluntary basis to provide comprehensive support. This voluntary support not only strengthens the medical care provided to TB patients but also helps address social and economic challenges, ultimately contributing to better treatment outcomes and the shared goal of a TB-free District.
Furthermore, the DC (SA) urged all clinical establishments to display Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials provided by the District Health Society (DHS). This step is intended to create greater public awareness about TB symptoms, treatment availability and the stigma associated with the disease.
The meeting concluded with a collective commitment from the private sector to support the District Administration’s mission-mode activities towards a TB-free South Andaman.