Poonch: District TB Forum Poonch discussed modalities for effective implementation of National Tuberculosis Elimination programme (NTEP) here Wednesday in a meeting chaired by District Development Commissioner, Rahul Yadav.
The members of the District Tuberculosis Forum attended the meeting to deliberate on the modalities of National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme- a Public Health initiative of the Government of India. It functions as a flagship component of the National Health Mission and provides technical and managerial leadership to anti-tuberculosis activities in the country.
The meeting was informed that TB is a priority disease which has been targeted for elimination from India by 2025 and community led participation is an essential component to achieve the target within stipulated time frame.
A detailed discussion was held on the composition, objectives and working of the Forum.
The meeting was also apprised about the achievements made under the program across the district, while various kinds of services being provided by the Government to the masses under the National Tuberculosis Elimination programme were also highlighted at the meeting. The DDC said that Tuberculosis is a leading infectious disease that impacts lives, economy and the future of a nation and the need of the hour is to work in tandem to ensure the effective and successful implementation of NTEP in the district. He asked for making extraordinary efforts for proper detection and testing of the patients suffering from TB for timely elimination of the disease from the district. He directed the concerned authorities to constitute village level surveillance teams in this regard.
He further asked the BMOs to ensure proper monitoring of the activities being carried out for the elimination of the Tuberculosis in the areas of their jurisdiction and submit the report on a monthly basis. He also directed the concerned to generate massive awareness among the public regarding the programme so that they can come forward to avail the benefits of the various kinds of services being provided under it. Welcome address was presented by the Chief Medical Officer Poonch, Dr. Ghulam Ahmed Malik. District Tuberculosis Officer Poonch, Dr. Fehmida Bandey gave a detailed presentation.