Chandigarh, 18 May, 2021:
Health and Family Welfare Minister Punjab Balbir Singh Sidhu today released the Guidance Document for Tuberculosis Elimination in Punjab 2021-25 which represents the department’s goal towards ending TB by 2025 in the state.
This Guidance Document was released by the Minister in a function organised in a truncated manner adhering to the Covid guidelines. Disclosing more about this document Balbir Singh Sidhu said that the Government of India has set up an ambitious target of eliminating Tuberculosis by 2025 , five years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goal of 2030. The Government of Punjab is equally committed in achieving the above target . The principals of TB elimination in Punjab are based on the four pillars of the National Strategic Plan ( NSP ) 2017-25 namely Detect- Treat- Prevent- Build . The plan focuses on early diagnosis and prompt treatment of TB along with universal drug susceptibility testing , systematic screening of contacts and high – risk groups and addressing co – morbid conditions such as HIV , Diabetes , Tobacco and Malnutrition . All efforts to sustain and improve the success achieved so far by the program need to continue along with addressing the challenges in the fight against tuberculosis . This audacious goal is achievable through our commitment and determination .TB is not just a public health issue, but also causes huge economic losses to the Indian economy.
He congratulated the State TB Cell and all stakeholders involved in bringing out this TB elimination document in the state by 2025 . The coming years are very crucial towards achieving the goal of TB elimination in Punjab . One key initiative in TB elimination by 2025 in the state would be the integration and strengthening of TB services thorough Ayushman Bharat- Health and Wellness Centers ( HWCs ) . This would lead to improvement in awareness about TB in communities , early detection of TB patients , better adherence to TB treatment and ensuring easier access and availability of TB services to the people . We have to come together , to fight against TB and the stigma associated with the disease . We aim to provide holistic approach towards providing TB care with dignity and without any discrimination.
Underlying the need for a set of guidelines for TB Elimination for the State of Punjab, Dr. G.B. Singh Director Health & Family Welfare Punjab said that these State specific guidelines will be helpful for adapting patient centric model for TB Elimination . The State will thus , be able to focus on prevention of TB and reduce the impact of multidrug and extensively drug – resistant TB . The document will support engagement of all the stakeholders and we will be able to reduce risk factors associated with different co – morbidities with TB such as HIV , Diabetes , Hypertension , Tobacco and Alcohol . He hoped that this document will serve as a ready reference for all the officials and the entire staff of the Department of Health & Family Welfare , Punjab and will help in TB elimination at the earliest .State TB Officer Punjab Dr. Jastej Singh Kular and other officials were present on the occasion .
