Join hands to eradicate Tuberculosis in the country by 2025: AP Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan

• AP Governor launched 71st TB Seal Sale campaign at Raj Bhavan
Vijayawada, December 18:  Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan launched the 71st TB Seal Sale Campaign in a programme held at Durbar Hall in Raj Bhavan on Friday. Speaking on the occasion, Governor Harichandan said TB continuous to be a killer disease and its spread has become a cause for concern even in the developed world.

Governor Harichandan said the World Health Organization has declared Tuberculosis as a global emergency and as the second-most populous country in the world, India has a burden of almost one-fourth of the global TB Cases with as many as 26.9 lakh TB cases notified in India in the year 2019. It is estimated that nearly one lakh people are suffering from the dreaded TB disease in Andhra Pradesh with the successful cure rate of 91% achieved with the implementation of the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) with Directly Observed Treatment (DBT) in all districts in the State, said the Governor.

The Governor said that the Centre is implementing ‘End TB Strategy’ with more focus on Active Case Finding, Introduction of Highly specific and sensitive Molecular diagnostic in the programme, Introduction of the daily treatment regimen, Universal Drug susceptibility testing and introduction of new drugs for drug-resistant TB etc. He emphasized on the need to scale up the programme activities at the grass-root level with the active participation of voluntary organisations like TB Association, Indian Medical Association, Red Cross, Lepra India, TB Alert, World Vision, AMG India International and Arogyavaram Medical Centre, etc. in the control of Tuberculosis.

Governor Harichandan appealed for the generous contribution from the public to the TB Seal Sale Campaign and to join their hands together in the efforts to eradicate Tuberculosis in the country by 2025. Governor Harichandan felicitated Dr T. Rama Rao and Dr Usha and representative of AMG International for maximum collection of funds by the sale of TB seals and Dr Jayakar Babu of Guntur Medical College, officials of Srikakulam TB Association for recruitment of the maximum number of volunteers. Mukesh Kumar Meena, Secretary to Governor, Dr T.P. Gandhi, Chairman of AP TB Association, Dr Wesley, Director, Arogyavaram Medical Centre, Dr T. Rama Rao, State TB Control Officer have attended the programme.