KATHUA: The implementation of National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) was reviewed today at a meeting of the District TB Forum Committee chaired by Additional District Development Commissioner, Kathua Surinder Mohan.

At the outset, District Tuberculosis Officer, Kathua Dr Radha Krishan presented the district TB profile. He informed that Kathua district has successfully diagnosed 43 MDR cases ( 15 INH and 28 RR resistant) out of 139 cases in the whole UT of J&K which depicts efficient efforts of all stakeholders. Besides, Kathua district is also maintaining 91% of treatment success rate which figures out amongst the best performers.

It was further given out in the meeting that out of total 257 panchayats, 38 panchayats including 7 in Kathua block, 8 in Billawar block, 5 in Basohli block, 7 in Bani block and 11 in Hiranagar block have been declared TB Free.

Moreover, under NIKSHAY MITRA programme a total of 717 kits ( Food Baskets) have been distributed to 544 TB patients in the district as nutritional support as part of National TB Elimination Programme.

While appreciating the District TB forum, the ADDC called for intensifying the efforts for maximum sample collection with special focus on smokers, aged and infirmed besides cases with comorbidities. He also enjoined upon the field functionaries to conduct house to house survey besides providing best possible treatment to diagnosed cases.

Earlier, the CMO Kathua also threw light on the dedicated infra available across the district in all health blocks of the district including provision of TRUNAAT machine in block Basohli, Hiranagar and Parole. While NAAT testing is available at GMC Kathua, DTC Kathua, block Billawar and Bani. He said the GMC Kathua has also contributed significantly in screening of TB Cases which also has launched culture sampling facilities recently.