A new project to end TB in urban settings has been launched in the Medchal Malkajgiri District of Hyderabad. The ‘Swasthya Nagarm’ project aims to implement a model of ending tuberculosis (TB) in urban settings, which focuses on active case finding and early diagnosis.
Taking place in Peerzadiguda, Boduppa and Pocharam Municipal Corporation over a period of three years, the project will use innovative approaches to surveillance, prevention and high-quality care completion, with engagement of multiple stakeholders.
The Union is implementing the project in close collaboration with the State TB Cell of Telangana, who is leading the project, alongside the Central TB Division, World Health Organization India, Wadhwani AI and USAID India under the stewardship of local urban bodies of the Medchal Malkajgiri district.
Shri RV Karnan, Commissioner, Health and Family Welfare and Mission Director of the National Health Mission, said: “This model will help in building ownership among urban local bodies towards the TB free initiatives and create an open channel of communication on the quality and availability of TB services in urban settings.”
Social determinants have huge impact on increasing the TB burden in urban settings.
Dr Rajendra P Joshi, Deputy Director General TB, Central TB Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, said: “Internal migration and mobility and growing slum dwellings contribute to the spread of TB. Interventions through this model in urban settings will certainly help in restricting TB disease's spread beyond city limits.”
The goal is to achieve a one third decline in TB incidence, bring down TB related mortality and reduce the catastrophic costs being incurred by people with TB and their families.
Active TB screening using a digital app and diagnosis using X-Ray along with upfront molecular testing will be the primary focus of the model to ensure early detection and prevention of TB. The project will also address the vulnerability of those with TB, by promoting health seeking behaviour and demand driven services.
Dr Jyoti Jaju, Director Programme at The Union, stated, “I am happy to see Swasthya Nagaram take shape. Through this robust collaborative effort, I am confident that this model will serve as a blueprint for effectively combating tuberculosis disease not only in urban areas across India but also globally.”
Project activities also include: vulnerability mapping, engaging all care providers, childhood TB detection, complete treatment of all forms of TB, differentiated TB care, airborne infection control, training and capacity building of all key staff and stakeholders, multi-sectoral coordination, engaging industries/corporates with workplace interventions, social support linkages to TB affected families and epidemiological and operation research.
The launch received great media coverage across India:
- Telangana Today - https://telanganatoday.com/model-for-tb-free-municipalities-swasthya-nagaram-launched-in-medchal-malkajgiri-district
- News on Air - https://www.newsonair.gov.in/telangana-unique-model-for-tb-free-municipalities-under-project-swasthya-nagaram-launched/
- Urban Update - https://urbanupdate.in/telanganas-swasthya-nagaram-to-make-tb-free-municipalities/
- The Week - https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2024/07/23/mes8-tl-tb--swasthya-nagaram.html
- The Print - https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2024/07/23/mes8-tl-tb--swasthya-nagaram.html
- Press Trust of India - https://www.ptinews.com/story/national/-swasthya-nagaram-model-for-tb-free-municipalities-launched-in-telangana/1677615