Telangana’s ‘Swasthya Nagaram’ to make TB-free municipalities

HYDERABAD, Telangana: R V Karnan, Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare, Telangana, has launched an innovative model for TB-free municipalities under the ‘Swasthya Nagaram’ project, to make the urban areas in the state tuberculosis-free. As of now, the model for TB-free municipalities has been launched in the Medchal Malkajgiri district of Telangana.

This innovative model for eliminating TB in the urban landscape consists of surveillance, prevention, and providing quality care with the help of all stakeholders. The plan takes into consideration that social constituents in urban areas play a critical role in increasing the burden of TB on patients and administration per se.

As part of the programme, for the early diagnosis and treatment of TB, X-ray and molecular tests will be conducted upfront. Apart from that, a digital app will be used for TB screening. The programme activities include vulnerability mapping, childhood-level TB detection, complete treatment of all sorts of TB, differential TB care, controlling airborne infection, and capacity building of the caregiver staff and all other key stakeholders.

This model will be extended to the urban areas of Boduppal, Peerzadiguda, and Pocharam Municipal Corporation of Medchal Malkajgiri district. This project will run for three years.

It is expected that with the help of this programme, the number of active TB cases could be cut down to one-third. Additionally, the TB-caused deaths and catastrophic costs borne by the patients will also be brought down.

While launching this programme in Medchal Malkajgiri district, Commissioner Karnan said, “This model will help in building ownership among urban local bodies towards TB-free initiatives and create an open channel of communication on the quality and availability of TB services in urban settings.”