CURRENT AFFAIRS
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Description
Puducherry has set a national precedent by becoming the first Union Territory in India to incorporate tuberculosis (TB) screening into the Family Adoption Programme. This innovative healthcare intervention is being driven by a joint effort involving medical colleges, student volunteers, and the local health department.
About Family Adoption Programme
The Family Adoption Programme, mandated by the National Medical Commission (NMC), requires medical students to adopt three to five families each as part of their community outreach training over a period of three years. In Puducherry, this initiative now includes routine TB screening for all family members during home visits.
Students At Forefront Of TB Detection
Dr. Kavita Vasudevan, Head of Community Medicine at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), noted that students not only screen for TB symptoms but also guide suspected cases through the diagnosis and treatment process. This hands-on approach is helping identify TB cases early and providing timely access to healthcare services.
Verbal Autopsy To Investigate TB-Related Deaths
In another first, Puducherry has introduced verbal autopsies to study TB mortality. This method involves health professionals interviewing the families of those who died due to TB to understand factors such as:
Delays in seeking care
System-related challenges like diagnostic or treatment lags
Preliminary data from 160 such autopsies reveals that many patients succumbed more than two weeks after diagnosis, pointing to the need for quicker healthcare response and patient awareness.
Role Of Medical Colleges In TB Control
Puducherry is home to nine medical colleges, which significantly contribute to TB elimination efforts. According to Union Territory health officials, these institutions are responsible for 45% of TB case notifications and actively participate in Active Case Finding (ACF) campaigns.
Their contributions include:
Offering diagnostic facilities
Allocating dedicated beds for TB patients
Conducting community education and awareness programmes (IEC)
Providing follow-up care and support
Targeting High-Risk Populations With Modern Tools
The UT administration, with support from medical colleges and the State TB Cell, is conducting vulnerability mapping to identify high- and moderate-risk individuals. These groups are screened using:
AI-enabled handheld chest X-ray machines
Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) technology
People with existing health conditions or those identified as vulnerable are tracked regularly for timely diagnosis and care in subsequent outreach drives.
National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) In Puducherry
The NTEP was launched in Puducherry on February 20, 2004, under the Department of Health & Family Welfare Services in coordination with the National Health Mission (NHM). The programme covers the UT’s population of 13.92 lakh and includes:
One NTEP district
7 TB Units
28 Diagnostic Centres
One Intermediate Reference Laboratory (IRL) equipped for culture and drug susceptibility testing (DST) at the Government Hospital for Chest Diseases
Welcome to Notopedia.com, your free learning platform that caters to the diverse needs of students and aspirants across a spectrum of entrance exams and educational endeavors. Whether you're preparing for highly anticipated exams like CAT, NEET, JEE Main, or bank job vacancies, our platform offers a wealth of resources to guide you towards success. Stay up-to-date with the latest exam dates, announcements, and results for various government recruitment exams, including SSC CGL, CHSL, NDA, and UPSC. Explore comprehensive study materials, sample papers, and exam patterns to hone your skills and boost your confidence. From important dates like CBSE Class 10 and 12 date sheets to exam-specific information like JEE Main application form date, we cover it all. Notopedia.com is your go-to source for everything from admissions and admit cards to scholarships and college information. Whether you're aiming for a career in defense, government, banking, or higher education, our free learning platform equips you with the knowledge and resources you need to excel. Join us in your educational journey and unlock a world of opportunities, guidance, and comprehensive support.
For more Updates and Information - Visit Notopedia's Bulletin Board
For Latest Sarkari Jobs - Visit Notopedia's Sarkari Jobs Section
For access to more than 20,000 Colleges - Visit Notopedia's College Section
For School Studies and Exams Preparation across 14 Boards - Visit Notopedia's School Section
For Comprehensive Preparation of Sarkari Job Exams - Visit Notopedia's Sarkari Exams Section
