Sirmaur 4th in TB eradication

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, June 30

Sirmaur district attained the fourth position nationally in the tuberculosis eradication programme by obtaining 94.78 score for 2019.

Additional Chief Secretary RD Dhiman said the total patients diagnosed in 2019 were 1,200, which is 119 per cent of the target. Other targets, which included 100 per cent patient testing for HIV status and blood sugar, were also achieved with the treatment success rate being 92 per cent.

Dr RK Pruthi, DC, said 32 multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis patients were diagnosed in 2019 and the universal drug susceptibility test of more than 70 per cent patients was undertaken within 15 days. Not only this, Rs 60 lakh was transferred to patient accounts to facilitate the effective treatment.

Other parameters like chemoprophylaxis, which is used to prevent the disease, was given to all children below 6 years. To trace all patients, an active case finding (ACF) campaign was undertaken for 15 days every 6 months for early detection and initiation on treatment to break the channel of transmission.

Dr RK Pruthi said key facilities were set up to facilitate testing.