In a major public health initiative, the Tamil Nadu government plans to screen 80 lakh people diagnosed with diabetes. tuberculosis (TB). This extensive effort will be part of the Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam programme, targeting high-risk individuals for mandatory TB screening. Health Secretary Supriya Sahu outlined this initiative during the REACH ALLIES Outreach Meeting in Tamil Nadu state, highlighting the importance of collaboration with organisations such as REACH and its TB Champions programme to ensure effective outreach.1✔ ✔Reliable source
Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam
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Tamilnadu in tuberculosis management
In recent years, Tamil Nadu has made considerable progress in TB case reporting and treatment outcomes. In the second quarter of 2024, the case notification rate stood at 124 per 100,000 population, reflecting the state’s improved screening efforts. The treatment success rate is currently 85%, but the state aims to increase it to 96-97%, according to Ms Sahu.
Treating drug-resistant TB remains a challenge in many states, however, Tamil Nadu has managed to improve its treatment success rate for this difficult form of TB to over 70%.
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Challenges in tuberculosis detection among diabetics
Nutritional support is a crucial aspect in the fight against TB, and the Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 2.1 crore to provide such support to 13,933 TB patients. Ms Sahu stressed that community involvement and the use of cutting-edge medical technology are essential components for the National TB Elimination Programme to be successful.
Dr TS Selvavinayagam, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, discussed the logistical challenge of screening the 80 million people diagnosed with diabetes who have been identified and registered. He stressed the importance of TB promoters in building capacity and advocating for the cause, given the magnitude of the task.
The TB Champions movement, launched in 2019, has grown from a small group of 200 people to a 30,000-strong network. These champions play a critical role in India’s efforts to combat TB, according to Stephane Laroche, regional controller for USAID/India, USAID/Sri Lanka and the Maldives. TB Champions provide vital support, training and advocacy to people affected by TB.
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TN ALLIES Impact Report and the Differentiated Care Model
The Health Secretary also released the Impact Report of TN ALLIES during the event. The project, implemented in 15 districts across four states (Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Tamil Nadu), aims to improve TB care through a community-led monitoring approach. The Community Accountability Framework (CAF) used by the project has resulted in improved care and services in 82 TB units across six districts.
The ALLIES project also introduced the Differentiated Care Model, which screens newly diagnosed TB patients for clinical and social vulnerabilities, including factors such as alcohol use, smokingmalnutrition, anaemia and migration. A press release noted that three out of four TB patients were found to have at least one of these vulnerabilities.
Notable attendees at the meeting included actor and TB survivor Suhasini Maniratnam, along with several health officials including Director of Medical and Rural Health Services Dr J Rajamoorthy and State TB Officer Asha Frederick.
This concerted effort aims to improve TB treatment success rates, provide support to vulnerable populations and strengthen Tamil Nadu’s fight against TB, with the ultimate goal of achieving TB elimination.
References:
- Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam – (https://spc.tn.gov.in/makkalai-thedi-maruthuvam//)
Source-Medindia
