Paediatric tuberculosis and DOTS strategy under RNTCP.

Most children acquire the organism of tuberculosis from adults in their surroundings. In developing countries the annual risk of tuberculosis infection is 2-5%. Nearly 8-20% of the deaths caused by tuberculosis occur in children. Diagnosis of tuberculosis in children is problematic. More weightage is given to laboratory tests. BCG vaccination is responsible for decrease in the occurrence of disseminated and severe disease. Suggested guidelines for suspected tuberculous, probable tuberculosis and confirmed tuberculosis have been narrated. Tuberculosis experts and paediatricians have recommended that children with tuberculosis be treated using the regimens available in the RNTCP. Patientwise boxes for all paediatric age group and weight is a noteworthy innovation under RNTCP. Drug resistancy in childhood tuberculosis is also a problem. Also a coninfection of HIV and tuberculosis should be looked into. Chemoprophylaxis in asymptomatic children under 6 years of age is also important.

IMA GFATM RNTCP PPM project: milestones in sight one year after.

The IMA GFATM RNTCP PPM has completed its one year journey on 31-03-2008 and gaining the momentum. The IMA's three-tier administrative structure looks after the Project Implementation Plan (PIP) at all levels. At the end of first year, the PIP has come up to the satisfaction of all. The indicators of success have been tabulated and reproduced in this article. The objectives, targets of 'stop tuberculosis' strategy by 2050 has been mentioned to inform that less than 1 case per million population per year will no longer be a public health problem. What is public-private mix and how it enhances the quality of diagnosis and takes treatment convenient for patients is also being elaborated. Scientific bases of intermittent regimen of DOTS are also effective and this forms the rationale of the usage of the thrice-weekly regimens recommended in the RNTCP.

An overview/update IMA GFATM RNTCP PPM project.

The existence of tuberculosis (TB) can be found in the bones of prehistoric man, found in Germany. Hippocrates (460-377 BC) also gave some imputs regarding the age-old TB. As regarding TB control history, some drugs were advised, but those drugs appear funny to present day physicians. Organised efforts to combat TB came into origin in late 1930s. In phase I establishment of sanatoria and TB clinics came into existence, then TB Association of India came into the picture, followed with direct initiative by the government. Phase II dealt with three decades of the National TB Control Programme. WHO declared TB is a global emergency. RNTCP is an application of WHO recommended DOTS strategy. Full implementation of the DOTS strategy remains the priority to control TB. Performance of RNTCP is more than statistactory.

IMA GFATM RNTCP PPM JIMR DOTS project.

Government of India and Stop TB Partnership strongly feel that Public Private Mix is reaquired to achieve the desired results of eliminating TB as a public health problem by 2050. IMA has accepted and adopted the DOTS strategy of RNTCP. Project Implementation Plan of IMA and GFATM is narrated for the readers to understand IMA GFATM RNTCP PPM. The goal is to achieve to bring down the burden of TB in India till it ceases to be a public health problem. In this project IMA has choosen to carry out intensified activities in five states and one union territory in India. With the idea, expected outcomes can be categorised at 3 levels--national, state and district. The individuals of IMA leadership will provide services on an honorary basis, so that the project can be best implemented in its truest sense.

Involvement of IMA in tuberculosis control.

Tuberculosis has been declared to be a global emergency and the HIV/AIDS is fuelling the epidemic. To contain the disease for its re-emergence a massive funding was earmarked. Widespread implementation of the DOTS strategy specially in countries of high TB burden is a major progress in global TB control. As a sizeable section of TB patients contact a private health provider, so the policy makers of health envisaged the idea for Public-Private Partnership mix model to contain the disease and hence the role of IMA with its two lacs members has definite role to play to stop the menace. The Stop TB strategy is designed to achieve the targets set for the period 2006-2015. Members of IMA have got a life time chance to prove to the people and to the power that they are not lagging behind in providing a service to the nation and there lies the strength of the IMA.