Commr Secy Bidwas holds review meet
Jammu :The Jammu and Kashmir government Thursday reaffirmed its commitment towards making the Union Territory completely a TB free region with emphasis on strengthening grassroots screening, ensuring timely diagnosis and patient-centric care besides intensifying community participation to accelerate TB elimination.
In this regard, Commissioner Secretary, Health & Medical Education, Saugat Biswas, Thursday chaired a review meeting to assess progress under the Abhiyaan across the Union Territory. A detailed presentation on the progress and implementation of the programme was made by Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), J&K, Athar Aamir Ul Shafi Khan.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners, Principals of Government Medical Colleges, senior officers of the H&ME Department, Directors of Health Services, Jammu/Kashmir, State Tuberculosis Officers, Chief Medical Officers and District Tuberculosis Officers.
Expressing concern over the low performance in certain districts, the Commissioner Secretary reiterated the government’s commitment to achieve the national goal of TB elimination through a collaborative and multi-sectoral approach. He emphasized robust grassroots screening, timely diagnosis, patient-centric care and extensive community participation under the Jan Bhagidari initiative, with special focus on underperforming districts.
He directed for rationalization and optimal utilization of X-ray machines, asking officers to explore measures to increase daily testing beyond the prescribed benchmarks of 50 tests for mobile machines and 20 tests for fixed machines, wherever operationally feasible.
The Commissioner Secretary asked all State and District Tuberculosis Officers to work in close coordination with Deputy Commissioners, Directors of Health Services and Chief Medical Officers to bridge performance gaps within 10 days. He made daily performance monitoring and reporting to the respective Deputy Commissioners mandatory to ensure accountability and timely corrective action.
Taking note of shortages of chips and cartridges affecting screening operations, the State Tuberculosis Officers were instructed to immediately coordinate with the concerned agencies to address the shortfalls and ensure uninterrupted functioning of diagnostic equipment.
The Commissioner Secretary directed that contact establishment and screening of family members of TB patients be completed within 10 days to facilitate early identification and timely intervention. The review also highlighted the need to strengthen differentiated TB care.
Emphasizing financial support for TB patients, he directed the officers to expedite assistance and streamline digital authentication mechanisms to ensure timely and seamless payments to beneficiaries under the NikshayPoshan Yojana (NPY).
To strengthen community mobilization and public awareness, he called for active engagement of youth-led JOSH teams, community and religious leaders, NCC volunteers and NGOs, wherever available, to promote screening, encourage early diagnosis and reduce stigma associated with TB.
Aiming for enhanced outcomes at all levels, the Commissioner Secretary has set a 10-day deadline for the underperforming districts to take corrective action under the Abhiyaan.
The Commissioner Secretary directed all concerned officers to ensure close interdepartmental coordination, regular monitoring and measurable improvement in programme implementation. He reiterated that collective responsibility, community participation and time-bound action are essential to achieving a TB-free Jammu and Kashmir in alignment with the national goal of TB elimination.
