BMC gears up for new ‘find, treat, work to eliminate TB’ campaign

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The 12 wards include Kandivli (R/S), Malad (P/N), Bandra and Khar (E) (H/E), Andheri (K/E), Kurla (N), Bhandup (S), Chembur (M/W), Mankhurd and Govandi (M/E), Byculla (E), etc.

The officials also said that the number of deaths due to TB have increased to 1,506 in 2015 against 1,134 in 2014. In 2014, about 12 cases of TB were reported from among doctors and nurses. It has come down to 9 cases in 2015, said an official, adding that the civic body has made periodic screening for the medical staff compulsory.

The first drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) indoor facility will be made functional at Sarvodaya Hospital, Ghatkopar, in the next few months, said the officials.

“Around 20,000 autorickshaws will carry the campaign slogan in the form of stickers. Hundred auto drivers will be sensitised and asked to share pocket calenders highlighting the campaign message with passengers,” said Deshmukh, adding that the campaign will be supported by Auto Rickshaw Union and Janssen.

As many as 24 rallies and 47 street plays will be held in 24 wards. We are also urging the local counsellor to participate in the rallies, he added.

In 2015, Mumbai RNTCP had registered and started with the treatment of 27,183 drug sensitive TB cases, 3,331 MDR TB and 552 XDR TB cases.

To reach out to the patients in the private sector, with appropriate diagnostic and treatment protocol, Public Private Interface Agency (PPIA) was launched in September, 2014. Through PPIA, 13,873 drug sensitive TB cases are notified by private sector and amongst them 11,102 were initiated on free drugs in 2015.