Patna: More than one lakh people have been screened for tuberculosis (TB) in Patna district over the past week. However, the district administration has asked health officials to step up efforts to meet the target of screening over 2.5 lakh people by Aug 14 under the Centre’s TB-Free India campaign.Reviewing the progress of the drive on Friday, district magistrate Kundan Kumar directed officials to prepare a micro-plan on the lines of the Pulse Polio campaign and conduct the screening in mission mode to identify TB patients at the earliest and ensure prompt treatment.According to officials, the number of people screened in the district rose from 50,494 on July 3 to over one lakh by July 9. While acknowledging the improvement, the DM said the pace must increase further to achieve the target within the stipulated timeframe.The district administration directed all govt hospitals to ensure TB screening of every patient visiting outpatient departments (OPDs). Health officials said 30 mobile screening teams are currently deployed across the district, with each team expected to screen at least 100 people daily. Officials were also asked to conduct screening drives at major market complexes to cover workers and visitors.The DM directed officials to coordinate with the district education department to screen students in govt and private schools and ensure that at least 10% of the urban and rural population is covered. Screening camps will also be organised in 345 identified high-risk villages, Jeevika self-help groups, Kasturba Gandhi residential schools and Mahadalit hamlets.Suspected TB patients will undergo X-ray, TruNat and CBNAAT tests, followed by treatment as required. The DM warned of a 5% cut in the honorarium of senior TB supervisors found negligent in screening or record maintenance. Officials also reviewed the ongoing HIV screening campaign and directed that it be expedited.
