PPSA launched

    01-Apr-2023
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IMPHAL, Mar 31: A Patient Provider Support Agency (PPSA) for Imphal West and Imphal East districts was launched today under the National TB Elimination Programme.
Notably, PPSA is a model/programme under which a third-party agency/NGO is selected by a State/ city/district RNTCP unit to engage private-sector doctors treating patients of TB and provide end-to-end services such as diagnosis, support and treatment linkages etc.
The launching function of the programme held at the training hall of the Eehul Foundation located near the Imphal West DC office, Lamphelpat was attended by State TB Officer Dr Waikhom Sashi Singh, Imphal West CMO Dr Joykumar, Imphal West District TB Officer Dr Sanjoy Lourembam, Imphal East District TB Officer Dr RK Ranjan and former Joint Director of Manipur State AIDS Control Society Dr Mongjam Abhiram.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr Waikhom Sashi said that TV and HIV/AIDS are like brothers.
He said that TB can be cured completely if diagnosed and treated in time.
Dr Sashi said that the Eehul Foundation would be of big help in prevention of TB by creating awareness about the disease among the masses.  
He also highlighted the importance of providing suitable drugs to TB patients  after identifying whether the patient is drug sensitive or drug resistant.
If a patient is drug resistant, the general TB drugs would not be effective to the particular patient, he said.
It is essential for the State TB Society to join hands with the Eehul Foundation in identifying drug resistant patients, chalking out lines of treatment and ensuring timely consumption of drugs to full doses in order to eradicate TB from the State, the State TB Officer said.
Dr Mongjam Abhiram said that HIV positive people are highly vulnerable to TB.  
He said that 60 per cent of the HIV positive people in India are also suffering from TB and TB is one major factor for the death of HIV positive people.
Like HIV/AIDS, there should be active NGO partners in tackling TB, Dr Abhiram said.
He exuded that the responsibility of PPSA entrusted to the Eehul Foundation by the State TB Officer would go a long way in eliminating TB from the State by 2025.