On the World TB day this year, IMA’s END TB campaign launched a major awareness drive focussed on Indian Women TB patients. It has been observed that even today millions of Indian women are not seeking treatment, or are left untreated.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA), the national body of medical practitioners, practicing modern medicine have spearheaded a nation-wide campaign to sensitize women to undergo proper and complete treatment for TB.
Speaking on World TB Day, Dr Santanu Sen, National President IMA said, “The association will ensure that TB is being reported to the National Programme which will help in effectively addressing the impediments in controlling and eradicating TB and meeting the 2025 deadline for a TB-free India. IMA has initiated programmes for reaching out to women and sensitizing them to help eradicate stigma linked with TB.”
India has decided to end TB epidemic by 2025, five years ahead of WHO’s global deadline of 2030, in a mission mode. IMA is closely working with the Government of India (GoI) and organising a series of TB programmes for medical professionals across the country to ensure TB cases are notified by all doctors across India.
Dr R V Asokan, Honorary Secretary General, IMA said, “We are determined to account for the missing million Tuberculosis patients who go unreported every year. Timely notification of TB patients will ensure quality diagnosis and treatment as well as nutritional support to TB patients. This World TB Day on March 24, IMA pledged to fight Tuberculosis and the stigma that surrounds a patients’ life, especially when it comes to Women in India. Unlike most of the diseases that plague our society today, Tuberculosis is one that can be overcome by following the treatment protocols and a strict vigilance over the progress of the disease.
We are determined and focussed to help spread the message and generate more awareness on the importance of TB notification and the multiple support measures offered by the Government towards becoming a TB free nation” Dr Asokan added.
One of the flagship efforts implemented by the Government since April, 2018 is a notification through ‘Nikshay’ a unified ICT system for TB patient management and care which allows both public and private sector health care providers to manage their patients. The ‘Nikshay Poshan Yojana’ provides required medical, nutritional and financial support to help TB patients’ through-out their treatment.