New Delhi | HL Correspondent
Union Health Minister J P Nadda, launched Bedaquiline – new anti-TB drug, specifically treat drug resistant TB in India on Monday. The March 24 is World Tuberculosis Day .
Minister stated that the process of fighting TB is continuous, hence there can be no dilution and do diversion. Our attention needs to steadfast and aggressive, stated the Health Minister. He further added that resources will not be a constraint and the Government will continue to work with all stakeholders, in devising short term and long term approaches. Further Nadda also emphasized the need for compassion in the treatment of TB patients.
The drug has been approved by Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for the treatment of pulmonary multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) in combination with an optimized background regimen.
In the first phase, the drug will be available in six public hospitals across the country to 600 patients. The treatment by this drug will be under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme and is part of co-ordinated programme between the government and Johnson & Johnson.
Bedaquiline is being introduced at six identified tertiary care centres across India. These sites have advanced facilities for laboratory testing and intensive care for patients. “Bedaquiline will be given to multi-drug resistant TB patients with resistance to either all fluoroquinolone and/or all second line injectables and extensive drug resistant TB,” said a senior health ministry official.
Drug resistant TB poses a major threat to control of TB worldwide. An estimated 2.2 million people were found to be suffering from TB in India in 2014 with over 70,000 MDR-TB patients. India accounts for 23% of the global total case of TB.
B P Sharma. Secretary (Health) also laid emphasis on surveillance and monitoring. He said that we need new tools for diagnostics and new research. He further said that delivery mechanism should be in conformity with goals we have set for ourselves.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Saumya Swaminathan, Secretary (DHR) and DG (ICMR), highlighted the challenges of the frontline health workers. She said that there is a need for new and innovative tools for conducting tests and investment in research
