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This is an archive article published on August 13, 2007
Private doctors to help fight TB
Private practitioners are all set to give a push to the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme across the country.
Written by Anuradhamascarenhas
Pune | August 13, 2007 12:00 AM IST
2 min read
2 min read
Private practitioners are all set to give a push to the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme RNTCP across the country. The Indian Medical Association IMA has tied up with the Central TB Division in its endeavour to eradicate tuberculosis, which remains one of the leading causes of death of nearly two million people every year across the globe. The TB division will receive a grant of Rs 18 crore from the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Dr L S Chavan, Deputy Director General of Central TB division, said that a MoU was signed between the Government and the private practitioners for a period of five years. During these 5 years, 50,000 doctors are expected to offer Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course DOTS across five states and a Union territory. These are Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Chandigarh.
Dr Asokan, IMA8217;s National Coordinator for TB, said the project aims to bring public and private providers, who would work together in combating the scourge of tuberculosis, under one 8220;umbrella8221;. The IMA has a wide base and a network of private medical practitioners PPs has the potential to penetrate NGOs, the corporate sector, medical colleges etc. Recognising the role played by the NGOs and the private practitioners in spreading awareness within the community and realising that many patients seek treatment from them, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare brought out guidelines to involve NGOs and private practitioners under various schemes in 1999 and 2002.
Sadly, there were not many takers. However, there seems to be a renewed vigour this time around as the IMA has decided to carry out intensified activities in the chosen areas to promote RNTCP.
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