National T.B. Control Program

1. National T.B. Control Program Rotary’s Unique Initiative Against T.B. Presented by PP Rtn. Deepak Ramnane Rotary Club of Koramangala

2. What is T.B.? • Infectious disease transmitted by a Bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis • Small swellings appear in the body tissues, especially in the lungs • It is a highly contagious disease • 40% of the world population is infected by T.B. which is latent. • It is important to know the signs of T.B. and treat it in time. • Every minute 4 persons get TB, 3 patients put on treatment, 1 person dies of TB • TB is a lawless disease. It can affect child, adolescent, adult, elderly, poor/rich, literate/illiterate. • T.B. is completely curable yet lakhs die needlessly from this disease every year.

3. Symptoms or Signs of T.B. • Persistent cough for 2 weeks or more specifically just after waking up • Weight loss, fever, night sweats and increasing weakness. • Chest or upper back pain and shortness of breath • Loss of appetite • Coughing up of blood

4. Methodology of controlling T.B. • What is DOTS? DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course ) is the only strategy which has proven effective in controlling TB on a mass basis. The DOTS strategy is in practice in 182 countries. India has adapted and tested DOTS since 1993, with excellent results. • What is RNTCP? In 1993, a Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) was begun, applying the principles of DOTS to the Indian context. DOTS is a systematic strategy which has five components • Political and administrative commitment • Good quality diagnosis • Good quality drugs • The right treatment, given in the right way • Systematic monitoring and accountability The RNTCP aims at providing DOTS facilities to all sections of people through the Public-Private Mix DOTS (PPM-DOTS) strategy

5. Cure • Conduct a sputum test and x-ray to see if the patient is infected. • Medicines are available with government primary health centers. • Continued treatment for a long time is required (6-8 months) • one feels better • Incomplete and irregular treatment may cause MDR-TB (Multi drug Resistance). Treatment of such TB is lengthy, very costly and cure rate is less than 40-50%. • Once the doctor declares the patient is cured, there is no danger of spreading infection.

6. Rotary’s Initiative • Rotary’s national committee wants all clubs to form a committee to take up T.B. control program. • Each club should take up at least 5 T.B. patients and monitor their cure. • Alternatively, every Rotarian should take up the treatment of one T.B. patient

7. Suggestions for clubs • Clubs should immediately form a T.B. control committee under community service. • Identify slum areas that can be visited where T.B. detection camps can be organised. • Co-ordinate this activity with the primary health center closest to the camp. • Involve the local civil hospital and CMO (chief medical officer). • Follow-up on patients who test positive. • More emphasis should be given on Information, Education and Communication.

8. The following clubs have taken up TB control programs during the year 2011-2012 List of clubs in Bangalore • Rotary Bangalore Indiranagar • Rotary Bangalore Koramangala • Rotary Club of Bangalore • Rotary Rajmahal Vilas Bangalore • Rotary Hanumanthanagar • Rotary Bangalore Whitefield Central • Rotary Bangalore South Parade List of Rural clubs • Rotary Kolar • Rotary Kanakapura • Rotary Vijaypura • Rotary Kyalanur • Rotary Pavagada • Rotary Ramanagaram (This club organised a massive procession/rally) • Rotary Tumkur • Rotary Tumkur East • Rotary Tumkur Central • Rotary Malavalli

9. May our joint efforts to control TB be successful just as Rotary has been recognised for controlling Polio. Thank You!