Sunil Khaparde, DDG, Central TB Division; Dr. A Jaiswal, National Institute of TB and Respiratory Diseases,  Bornali Dutta, Senior Consultant, Respiratory Medicine, Reuben Swamicken, US Agency for International Development (USAID),   Kavita Ayyagari, Project Director – Challenge TB, The Union and  Jamhoih Tonsing, Director, The Union South-East Asia Office were present at the event. The results from the phase I of Mission TB-Free Haryana and the plan for phase II were discussed.
 
Mission TB-Free Haryana aims to identify patients that suffer from TB, but are sputum negative and therefore not detected early or start  treatment. The digital X-Ray helps identify symptomatic pulmonary TB in patients who are sputum negative and refers them to Government TB centers for treatment. The Mobile Van is present at the primary and community health centres (PHCs and CHCs) at the village and block level, where X-Ray facilities are not available. ASHA workers refer the symptomatic patients for testing and the District TB officers have been supporting this initiative by taking active interest in case detection and referrals.   

  Sunil Kaparde, Deputy Director General, Central TB Division, said, “Dr. Trehan has a vision for TB-Free Haryana and this initiative of the Medanta Mobile Vans will definitely contribute to the cause of TB-Free India as this will help reach those TB patients not reached through the program and start them on treatment earlier. If Medanta can add linkages with the CBNAAT testing facilities now being introduced through the Government, and offer this facility itself, this will help further identify drug resistant TB patients.”