CHANDIGARH: Dr GB Singh, Director Health Services, Punjab here today stated that Government of India has set an ambitious goal to end Tuberculosis (TB), by reducing the incidence of new TB cases by 80% by 2025, five years ahead of global SDG timelines.
He told that this year our five districts Faridkot, Ferozepur, Moga, Rupnagar and Tarn Taran submitted their claims for Bronze category and have undergone successful verification by NIE (ICMR), IAPSM and WHO. The results are awaited. Punjab was supported in this process by external WHO Consultants namely Dr. Dinesh Baliga from Azamgarh Division, Dr. Trishna Mohanty in Prayagraj Division and Dr. Dimple Panchal, Kanpur Division in Uttar Pradesh. Internal WHO consultants of Punjab namely Dr. Satish Kumar Manjhi and Dr. Pooja Kapoor also supported the entire process. The Director Health Services felicitated these consultants here today during an informal meeting at Punjab Health Headquarters.
Dr Rajesh Bhaskar Incharge of Punjab TB Cell revealed that evidence suggests that there is wide variation in TB burden across the country and the level of efforts across districts towards this path to end TB are also varied and therefore incentivizing and rewarding well performing states, districts shall motivate them further.
Sub National Certification is a meticulously designed process of setting up benchmarks, evaluation for pre-requisites for claims and detailed process for verification by districts & states and its verification through an independent agency by the Health Ministry, GoI followed by certification and award.
A District or a State is recognized for achieving “TB Free” status though monetary and non-monetary awards upon verification of successful achievement of targets outlined (80% reduction in TB incidence from 2015 as per SDG Framework).