Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala has received an award from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for its outstanding Tuberculosis (TB) prevention activities. The award was given for the best coordination of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) in the private sector. The award is for registering the highest number of TB patients from the private sector through the Nikshay portal.
In 2019, 4615 tuberculosis patients were registered in the Nikshay portal from the private sector, while in 2023, it increased to 6542. It was this achievement that made the state eligible for the award. State Health Minister Veena George said that the government is carrying out strong activities with the aim of making Kerala tuberculosis-free by 2025 by ensuring the participation of the private sector.
TB Mukht Panhcyant programmes are being implemented with the cooperation of local self-government bodies for the goal of tuberculosis-free Kerala. Apart from this, the private sector is also actively involved in coordinating the treatment. The minister also stated that this award is a recognition of this.
Currently, 330 STEPS Centers (System for TB Elimination in Private Sector) are functioning in the state. STEPS Centers are centres that provide integrated treatment by linking private hospitals with the public sector system. This is a state scheme implemented as a model for the country to ensure diagnosis, treatment and high-quality medicines for tuberculosis patients who come here for treatment.
Activities are being carried out at the state level to provide nutritional kits to tuberculosis patients in Kerala using CSR funds, which are part of the social responsibility of private institutions. At present, nutritional kits are being provided in Ernakulam, Wayanad and Thiruvananthapuram districts in collaboration with Cochin Shipyard and KIMS Hospital. The health minister also informed that efforts to provide nutritional kits have started at the state level in collaboration with the State Bank of India and private institutions.