Srinagar, Oct 30 (KNS): Daily DOTS treatment course for Tuberculosis patients was launched Monday by Director Health Services, Kashmir Dr Saleemur Rehman at District TB Centre Srinagar by which the patients will be given daily dose to diagnosed TB patients throughout the State.
As per the National strategy TB patients were being treated on intermittent DOTS regimen where patients were given three days TB course in a week at designated, nearby DOT centres.
“Now from today under Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), new Technical and Operational Guidelines -TOG 2016,the Govt. of India launched daily regimen dose to diagnosed TB patients throughout the State,” DHSK spokesman said.
On the occasion Director Health launched the Daily DOTS treatment by administering the dose to newly diagnosed TB patients .While speaking, he stressed to carry the quality of sputum microscopy and other tests for diagnosis of TB.
He also said, "The new treatment protocol will replace the existing three times a week treatment and will be implemented across Kashmir .Instead of several individual drugs, patients will be put on fixed drug combinations, i.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channele. three or more drugs as a single dose, to reduce the pill burden and to simplify the treatment. The dosages are in four specific weight bands.” He added that, findings have revealed that the old regimen has led to increasing instances of drug resistance and relapse.
The inaugural event was organised by District TB Centre Srinagar under the aegis of State TB Cell of Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK).The event was attended by Dr Kunzes Dolma, Dy Director HQ, Dr Showkat Ali Looloo, Dy. Director Schemes/State TB Officer Kashmir, Dr Mehmooda Kar, Assistant Director, DHSK, Dr Dildar Mir, CMO Srinagar, Dr Shameema Wani Director STDC Srinagar, Dr Rehana Kousar, Epidemiologist Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Dar, DNO Kashmir NHM, Block Medical Officers ,Zonal Medical Officers, Medical Officers STDC/DTC Srinagar, Officers/ Officials from state TB cell ,DTC Srinagar and RNTCP Staff
Moreover various topics such as involvement of medical colleges in state for TB control, status of RNTCP in Kashmir management of drug resistant TB, technical and operational guidelines of RNTCP and sensitization and training of providers, were discussed in the day-long event. (KNS)