Nearly one lakh TB patients in Andhra Pradesh: Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan
Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan launching 71st TB Seal Sale campaign at Raj Bhavan
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan launched the 71st TB Seal Sale Campaign in a programme held at Durbar Hall in Raj Bhavan on Friday.
Speaking on the occasion, he said TB continuous to be a killer disease and its spread has become a cause of concern even in the developed world. World Health Organization has declared tuberculosis as a global emergency and as the second most populous country in the world, India has a burden of almost one fourth of the global TB cases as 26.9 lakh TB cases were notified in India in the year 2019.
It is estimated that nearly one lakh people are suffering from the dreaded TB disease in Andhra Pradesh with successful cure rate of 91% achieved with the implementation of the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) with Directly Observed Treatment (DBT) in all districts in the State, said the Governor.
The Governor said that the Centre is implementing 'End TB Strategy' with more focus on active case finding, introduction of highly specific and sensitive molecular diagnostic in the programme, introduction of daily treatment regimen, universal drug susceptibility testing and introduction of new drugs for drug resistant TB etc.
He emphasised the need to scale up the programme activities at grassroots level with active participation of voluntary organisations like TB Association, Indian Medical Association, Red Cross, Lepra India, TB Alert, World Vision, AMG India International and Arogyavaram Medical Centre etc in the control of tuberculosis.
Governor Harichandan appealed for generous contribution from public to the TB Seal Sale Campaign and to join their hands together in the efforts to eradicate tuberculosis in the country by 2025.
Governor Harichandan felicitated Dr T Rama Rao and Dr Usha and representative of AMG International for maximum collection of funds by sale of TB seals and Dr Jayakar Babu of Guntur Medical College, officials of Srikakulam TB Association for recruitment of maximum number of volunteers.
Dr TP Gandhi, chairman of AP TB Association, Dr Wesley, director, Arogyavaram Medical Centre, Dr T Rama Rao, State TB Control Officer, Mukesh Kumar Meena, Secretary to the Governor attended the programme.