Guv calls for eradication of TB in AP by 2025

Vijayawada: State Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan, who is also president of the TB Association of AP, said the state and the district units of TB Association should take steps to check the spread of tuberculosis (TB) in the state by 2025 as per the target set up by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Governor participated as the chief guest at the launch of 70th TB Seal sale campaign held at Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, here on Friday. Lung health associations have been raising funds for lung diseases by selling Christmas TB seals since 1904.

The Governor said the voluntary organisations and medical professionals have an important role to play to achieve the target. The Governor said the spread of tuberculosis had become a cause for concern even in developed countries.

He said India was home to almost one-fourths of global TB cases and it was a matter of concern that a total of 21.5 lakh TB cases were reported in AP in 2018, which is an increase of 17 per cent as against 18 lakh cases reported in 2017.

The Governor said with the sustained efforts of TB Associations, medical and health department and the voluntary organisations, the duration for treatment of tuberculosis disease which was 12 to 18 months till 1985 has now been reduced to six to eight months with the introduction of Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) from 1996 onwards.

He congratulated the state medical and health department, TB Association, voluntary organisations for achieving a successful cure rate of 91.7 per cent in Andhra Pradesh in the treatment of TB patients.

On this occasion, the Governor felicitated individuals and organisations who participated in mobilisation of funds for the cause of treatment and eradication of TB, through the TB seal sale campaign, with presentation of mementos.

The Best District Award was presented to Guntur district for the contribution of Rs 6 lakh and the Special Best Institutional Awards was presented to Dr Arun Kumar Kanti Mohanty, president of AMG India International, Chilakaluripet, for their contribution of Rs 6 lakh through the sale of TB seals.

Mukesh Kumar Meena, secretary to the Governor, Dr Wesley, director, Arogyavaram TB Centre, Madanapalle, Dr Arun Kumar Kanti Mohanty, patron of TB Association of AP and director of AMG India International also participated in the programme.