Over the last two weeks, members of the JMM visited 20 randomly selected districts in Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and West Bengal. They interacted with national, state and district-level authorities, extensively reviewed patient records, and interviewed patients and the programme staff.

The Mission stated that the programme is very effective, including the microscopy services for diagnosis, reliable supplies of good quality drugs and a transparent and powerful reporting system.

“The programme has to be continued for two to three decades before the epidemiological results can be achieved,’’ said Dr L.S. Chauhan, director of the TB control programme in the country.

The disease continues to affect about 1.8 million new people every year. Two of every five Indians are infected with the TB bacillus. Of them, 10 per cent will develop TB disease during their lifetime.The direct cost of the disease in India annually is estimated at $ 300 million and the indirect cost $ 3 billion.

Another important battle the programme is fighting is the multiple drug resistant TB, which comprises three per cent of the new cases. While treating a general patient costs about Rs 400-600, MDR TB treatment costs about Rs 1 lakh. “If it is not treated, a person could infect 10 to 15 persons a year,’’ said Chauhan.

The government is planning to provide free treatment to drug-resistant tuberclosis in government hospitals now. The project will first be started in Gujarat and Maharashtra where all those who are affected by the disease will be enrolled.

... contd.