In order to generate momentum for a TB free India by 2025, the government of India is organizing a mega India TB summit to be held from 13-16 March, 2018. This event will be attended by chief ministers of the states. The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi will inaugurate this event. At the global level, the target for elimination of TB is 2030.
The presence of PM’s participation in the event is confirmed. He will be joined by WHO Secretary General Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO DDG Dr Soumya Swaminathan and other Indian and global figures. In fact, National Strategic Plan for TB Elimination 2017-25 (NSP) may get launched by PM Modi during the summit. This Plan was launched last year.
In this matter of TB and its consequences, PM Modi had written a letter to all the chief ministers of the country. He asked them to work on control programme so to eliminate TB. He asserted that this disease is treatable so we should be wise and uproot it from India.
Know the key features of NSP
The key features are to effectively address patients seeking care in private sector. There will be provision for free medicines, availability of rapid molecular tests and nutritional support to TB patients. All TB patients will be given incentives for the duration of the treatment irrespective of income levels.
TB or Tuberculosis
March 24 is observed as World TB Day. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body. This is a contagious disease that spreads from one person to another through air.
