Gurgaon/New Delhi: Tuberculosis is eating into the vitals of Haryana Health but the government despite its intent is unable to meet the challenges posed by the scourge. But Medanta-The Medicity, the corporate super speciality hospital, has extended a big helping hand for fully eradicating TB from Haryana. On the first anniversary of its Mission TB free Haryana, Medanta on November 22, launched 5 vans equipped with state of art digital X-Ray. Where sputum test fails, this high tech X-Ray catches the silent and highly infectious disease. Underlining his hospital’s Mission intent, Dr. Naresh Trehan said in Big B’s vein: TB Harega. Haryana Jitega (TB is sure to lose, Haryana certain to win). Haryana health minister Anil Vij, who witnessed mission’s anniversary, duly expressed state’s indebtedness to Medanta for its largesse. The mission covers the 21 districts of Haryana. Distrct TB officers, who had gathered in Medanta on the occasion and to whom Medicare news talked, said that the Medanta’s Mission is timely because MDR (multi drug resistant TB) is increasing by the day in the state and urgent measures to stem the spread of the scourge are needed.The mission was launched on November 20, 2015 by Medanta and has completed one year of operation.
Before flagging off, of X-ray vans, there was a planning meeting between the Government’s District TB officers and Medanta’s Doctors, wherein they discussed ways to ensure success of the mission. Medanta is rendering the medical expertise and equipment for secondary screening of Tuberculosis. Chest X-Rays will be used to detect TB among patients who may erroneously have shown to be Sputum Negative for TB. (Sputum test is the most common test for Tuberculosis in the Districts). In its first phase, the mission included Rewari, Gurgaon, Mewat, Palwal and Jhajjhar, where the vans equipped with chest X-Ray machines and other equipment were deployed to work in tandem with the Government’s Primary and Secondary Health Centres to ensure more effective TB Diagnosis.
The mission is spearheaded by Dr. Bornali Datta of the Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Medanta With the completion of a year, the event highlighted the results of the Mission where approx. 3000 number of people were treated for TB. Stressing on the need for improved case findings for TB, Dr. Trehan, CMD – Medanta said, “More than 50% of patients with pulmonary TB go undetected in India currently. The rise of the drug-resistant strain has made the situation even worse. Social stigma, lack of awareness and inadequate medical facilities further aggravate the problem. This screening programme under TB Free Haryana initiative aims to guide patients about their status and encourage them to start treatment for TB as soon as possible. This will help reduce the spread of the disease.”
Dignitaries like USAID/India Mission Director from US Embassy – Mr. Jonathan Addleton, Dr. David Ford from Scarborough, UK, Dr. T. C. Tanwar, District TB Officer and Dr. Sunil Khaparde, Additional DDG – TB, among others also graced the occasion. Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, who himself suffered from the disease once had publicly extended their support to the mission in a formal unveiling in December 2015.
