NEWS – Tamilnadu to adopt an idea — “Walk-in Centre – One Stop TB Solution”

TB IN TAMILNADU

• According to the Tamil Nadu TB prevalence survey 2019-2022, the prevalence of TB in the State was 210 per lakh population
• In 2022, the State had a case notification rate of 126 cases per lakh people
• The aim is to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal related to TB by 2025, that is 90% reduction in TB deaths and 80% reduction in TB incidence rate by 2030 compared to the levels in 2015
• Early diagnosis and treatment will play a crucial role in achieving this

WHAT WILL THE CENTER OFFER

• Single primary facility is designated as a walk-in TB centre in each block. Over 100 walk-in centres have been rolled out
• The aim is to expand to all 424 upgraded Primary Health Centres (PHC)
• CB-NAAT enables accurate and quick results, and paves the way for early diagnosis
• Diagnostic tests (microscopy/Nucleic Acid Amplification Test) must be available
• Appropriate linkages for chest X-ray need to be identified such as the nearest community health centres, government taluk hospital or government medical college hospitals
• Patients should be initiated on treatment within 24 hours of receiving their test results. Those diagnosed with TB should be screened for other immunocompromised diseases
• Family members and close contacts will be screened for TB and preventive therapy will begin for all close contacts
• Patients diagnosed with TB must get monthly clinical and laboratory follow-up at the end of the intensive phase and continuation phase
• The medical officer has to ensure that every patient receives the Direct Benefit Transfer — financial incentive of ₹500 per month, while nutritional support with a high protein and vitamin-rich diet can be provided with the help of volunteers, NGOs and using CSR funding from industries