CHANDIGARH: In line with the Centre’s ambitious goal to end tuberculosis (TB) by 2025, five districts of Punjab have recorded a 20% reduction of caseload in the past five years.
These five districts — Faridkot, Ferozepur, Moga, Rupnagar and Tarn Taran —are now eligible for sub-national certification in the bronze category. The health department has applied for certification for these districts.
Dr G B Singh, director health services said all the five districts have undergone successful verification by NIE (ICMR), IAPSM and WHO. Sub National Certification is the process of setting up benchmarks, evaluation for pre-requisites for claims and detailed process for verification by districts and states and its verification through an independent agency by the Union health ministry, followed by certification and award.
Dr Rajesh Bhaskar, in charge of Punjab TB Cell, said evidence suggests that there is a wide variation in TB burden across the country. To achieve the target of ending TB, there is a need to incentivise and reward well performing states, districts.
