Puducherry has taken a groundbreaking step in the fight against tuberculosis by integrating TB screening into the Family Adoption Programme. This initiative involves collaboration between medical colleges, students, and the local health department to enhance early detection and treatment of TB cases.
What Is the Family Adoption Programme?
The Family Adoption Programme is a National Medical Commission-mandated initiative where medical students adopt 3 to 5 families for community outreach and health monitoring over three years.
Key Points:
- Medical students adopt families for community outreach.
- Monitoring of families’ health over a three-year period.
Direct Involvement of Medical Students
Medical students in Puducherry now screen family members for TB as part of routine health monitoring and assist in diagnosis and treatment when symptoms are detected.
Highlights:
- Students actively involved in TB screening.
- Improving early detection rates.
Verbal Autopsy to Understand TB Mortality
Puducherry utilizes Verbal Autopsy to investigate TB-related deaths, focusing on patient-related and systemic factors contributing to mortality.
Key Findings:
- Verbal Autopsy conducted for 160 cases.
- Emphasis on promoting early healthcare-seeking behavior.
The Role of Medical Colleges in TB Elimination
Puducherry’s medical colleges actively contribute to TB elimination efforts through diagnostic facilities, dedicated treatment beds, and community-level support.
Contributions of Medical Colleges:
- Diagnostic facilities and treatment beds.
- Active participation in case finding campaigns.
Advanced Diagnostic Tools and Mapping of High-Risk Populations
The government, in partnership with medical colleges, implements advanced diagnostic tools and identifies high-risk populations for targeted testing and follow-up.
Tools and Initiatives:
- AI-enabled chest X-rays and molecular diagnostics.
- Continuous follow-up for high-risk individuals.
About the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) in Puducherry
The NTEP in Puducherry, initiated in 2004, covers a significant population and involves multiple TB units and diagnostic centers equipped with advanced testing capabilities.
Key Features of NTEP:
- Single NTEP district covering 13.92 lakh people.
- Establishment of TB Units and Diagnostic Centers.
- Specialized Intermediate Reference Laboratory (IRL) for testing.
Key Takeaways for Competitive Exams
- Puducherry pioneers TB screening integration in the Family Adoption Programme.
- Medical colleges play a crucial role in TB elimination through active engagement.
- Utilization of advanced diagnostic tools and targeted testing for high-risk populations.
