-Approx 3000 people were tested and treated in Mission TB Free Haryana in the last year
New Delhi, November 22, 2016: The Government of India’s extensive programme of eradicating Tuberculosis is being supplemented by “Mission TB Free Haryana”, an initiative by Medanta - The Medicity. The mission was launched on November 20, 2015 by Medanta and has completed one year of operation. An event, attended by Shri Anil Vij, the Hon’ble Minister of Health, Govt. of Haryana, commemorated the efforts over the last one year in supporting the Government’s initiative of tackling the plague of Tuberculosis. The event was preceded by a “Planning Meeting” between the Government’s District TB officers and Medanta’s Doctors, to chart out the way forward for the mission.
Dr Naresh Trehan felicitating Hon'ble Minister of Health, Shri Anil Vij at the first anniversary of Mission TB Free Haryana 2016
Hon'ble Minister of Health, Shri Anil Vij and Dr Naresh Trehan launched 5 vans for Mission TB Free Haryana today at Medanta
Under the Mission TB Free Haryana, Medanta renders the medical expertise and equipment for secondary screening of Tuberculosis. Chest X-Rays will be used to detect TB among patients who may erroneously have shown to be Sputum Negative for TB. (Sputum test is the most common test for Tuberculosis in the Districts). The mission covers the 21 districts of Haryana. In its first phase, the mission included Rewari, Gurgaon, Mewat, Palwal and Jhajjhar, where the vans equipped with chest X-Ray machines and other equipment were deployed to work in tandem with the Government’s Primary and Secondary Health Centres to ensure more effective TB Diagnosis.
The mission is spearheaded by Dr. Bornali Datta of the Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Medanta under the aegis of “Call to action for a TB-Free India”, by the Government of India.
With the completion of a year, the event highlighted the results of the Mission where approx. 3000 number of people were treated for TB and also announced the launch of five new MISSION TB FREE HARYANA Vans.
Stressing on the need for improved case findings for TB, Naresh Trehan, CMD - Medanta said, "More than 50% of patients with pulmonary TB go undetected in India currently. The rise of the drug-resistant strain has made the situation even worse. Social stigma, lack of awareness and inadequate medical facilities further aggravate the problem. This screening programme under TB Free Haryana initiative aims to guide patients about their status and encourage them to start treatment for TB as soon as possible. This will help reduce the spread of the disease."
The event witnessed dignitaries like - Hon’ble Minister of Health - Shri Anil Vij, Govt of Haryana, USAID/India Mission Director from US Embassy – Mr. Jonathan Addleton, Dr. David Ford from Scarborough, UK, Dr. T. C. Tanwar, District TB Officer and Dr. Sunil Khaparde, Additional DDG - TB, among others.
About Mission TB Free Haryana
Mission TB-Free Haryana is a collaborative effort between Medanta - The Medicity, the Government of Haryana, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) and the Central TB Division of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. The US Richard R. Verma, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan and Haryana Chief Minister Shri Manohar Lal Khattar had publicly extended their support to the mission in a formal unveiling in December 2015.
About Medanta - The Medicity
Medanta – The Medicity is one of India's largest multi-super specialty institutes located in Gurgaon. Founded by eminent cardiac surgeon, Dr. Naresh Trehan, the group has been envisioned with the aim of bringing to India the highest standards of medical care along with clinical research, education and training. Medanta is governed under the guiding principles of providing medical services to patients with care, compassion, commitment.
Medanta – The Medicity brings together an outstanding pool of doctors, scientists and clinical researchers. Spread across 43 acres, the hospital has 1250 beds and over 350 critical care beds with 45 operation theatres catering to over 20 specialties. The Indore facility of Medanta is equipped 160 beds and the hospital at Ranchi has 200 beds.