Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 28: Government of Jammu and Kashmir today launched the Tuberculosis (TB) Elimination Action Plan with an aim to see TB free J&K by 2025.
The J&K Elimination Plan was launched by Financial Commissioner Health and Medical education, Atal Dulloo, here at Convention Centre, Jammu.
While rolling out the Action Plan, Atal Dulloo said that the elimination of TB is a clear vision set by the Prime Minister of the country and we have to undertake the activities under the National Strategic Plan for TB Elimination forward in a mission mode for ending the epidemic by 2025.
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He said that the goal of the Government is to accelerate the universal TB coverage and preventive services. He said the objective is to promote health seeking behaviour in the community for early case detection and prevention of emergence of new cases of TB.
He emphasized on the need to ensure patient centric care and expand TB care through engagement of various stakeholders, including the community.
He said that significant progress has been made but a lot more needs to be done and government is fully committed to intensify its efforts to achieve the target by 2025.
The FC also pointed out various components for TB elimination strategy and laid stress on generation of awareness through Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM). He said that locals will be involved for planning for TB elimination by creating aggressive Information, Education and Communication awareness using all forms of media about TB and generating data base of vulnerable populations.
Mission Director, National Health Mission, Bhupinder Kumar presented an overview of the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) in J&K, while seeking cooperation from all quarters. He said that government is looking forward to engage Panchyati Raj Institutions, Non Governmental Organizations, local bodies in health promotional activities.
Others who were present at the launching ceremony included Director Health Services Jammu, Renu Sharma; Director Indian System of Medicine J&K Mohan Singh; Director Family Welfare J&K Arun Sharma; Deputy Director General Central TB Division, K S Sachdeva; Principal Government Medical College Jammu Sunanda Raina; Mission Director, National Health Mission, Telangana, Yogita Rana; State Tuberculosis Officer, Delhi, Ashwini Khanna and Medical Superintendents, Chief Medical Officers and other Tuberculosis Officers.