Health Ministry launches sputum sample transportation through Department of Post

Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched pilot project for transport of sputum specimen for Tuberculosis (TB) Diagnosis by utilising services of Department of Post in Karawal Nagar, New Delhi. The learning from this pilot project experience will be useful for adaptation of specimen transport mechanism through Postal Department across the country.

Need

Significant proportion of TB patients in India are not tested for their symptoms because specimen does not reach laboratory due to non-availability of specimen transport mechanisms. Transport of collected specimen also spares patient’s from travelling to reference laboratory. Prompt transport of specimen followed by efficacious testing will enable appropriate management of TB patients and reduced disease transmission.

Other Initiatives

Health Ministry also launched web-based application of Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP), Nikshay Version 2.0, with better user interface and data structures. It also launched mobile application for all major functions on Nikshay. The web-application is also designed to be mobile friendly, enabling data entry also from the mobile browser.

NIKSHAY

NIKSHAY is web based solution for effectively monitoring of TB patients under Revised National Tuberculosis Programme (RNTCP). It was launched by Health Ministry Government with intention of creating a tuberculosis free nation. It was developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC) in association with Central TB Division (CTD), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
NIKSHAY word is combination of two Hindi words NI and KSHAY meaning eradication of tuberculosis. It covers various aspects of controlling TB using technological innovations.Apart from web based technology, SMS services have been used effectively for communication with patients and monitoring the programme on day to day basis.

Tuberculosis (TB)

TB is disease caused by bacteria “Mycobacterium tuberculosis” that most often affect the lungs. It spreads from person to person through the air. It commonly affects lungs but can also affect other parts of the body. It is the second biggest killer disease worldwide next only to HIV/AIDS. ndia accounts for about a quarter of the global TB burden. Worldwide India is the country with the highest burden of both TB and MDR (Multi-drug resistant) TB. In March 2017, Government had set aim elimination of TB in India by 2025.

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2018