Notify authorities about number of TB patients, IMA asks private doctors

The IMA highlighted various efforts to achieve the 'End TB' vision as part of a joint collaboration with the government to reach out to every private doctor and through them to every TB patient in the state of Madhya Pradesh. As per the latest available data, the number of TB patients notified in MP during 2017 was 1,34,333, with 1,870 drug-resistant TB cases being diagnosed. Out of this, 12 per cent TB patients were notified from the private sector, an IMA statement said.

IMA will galvanise private doctors to increase notification and work toward the cause of ending TB by optimal utilisation of the government's notification system, NIKSHAY, the statement stated. The IMA will inform and encourage private doctors to take advantage of the various facilities made available by the Government under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) for the benefit of patients seeking care from the private sector, including free diagnosis, drugs and NIKSHAY Poshan Yojana under which every TB patient gets Rs 500 per month towards nutrition support till completion of treatment.