THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SHRI N.T. SHANMUGAM)
(a) To Control TB, National TB Control Programme was launched in the country in 1962. Under the Programme free of cost diagnosis and treatment facilities including free supply of anti-TB drugs are provided to TB patients. To achieve a treatment success rate of at least 85%, Revised National TB Control Programme is being implemented to cover a population of 500 million in a phased manner by 2002. In addition Short Course Chemotherapy districts are being strengthened to prepare them to adopt the revised strategy at a later date.
For undertaking Cardiovascular diseases pilot projects were started in 5 States viz. Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam and Delhi. Rs.49.5 lakhs has also been provided to AIIMS in 1998-99 for undertaking CVD control activities in the organised sector.
The National Cancer Control Programme which was started in 1975, was revised in 1984. Under the scheme financial assistance is provided for the following activities:-
i) Development of Oncology Wing in medical colleges.
ii) For installation of Cobalt 60 Teletherapy equipments to Government/Charitable organisations.
iii) For purchase of sophisticated equipments and to carry out research activities by the RCCs.
iv) For awareness and early detection of Cancer to voluntary organisations.
v) For district projects for awareness and early detection of Cancer.
So far as the Leprosy is concerned, Government of India is implementing National Leprosy Eradication programme as a 100% Centrally sponsored scheme. The programme covers all the districts of the country for providing free MDT services.
(b) Public awareness activities have been undertaken under all these health programmes in order to educate the public in respect of each of these diseases. IEC is an important component of the TB Control Programme which aims at educating the community about symptoms of TB and the need for completing treatment. On the World TB Day on March 24th, 2000, messages from PM, Health Minister etc. were published in Newspapers alongwith Dos and Don`ts about TB. At the State and District level also various activities like seminars, march by cured patients, Press releases etc are undertaken.
Under the National Cancer Control Programme there are 17 Regional Cancer Centres working towards awareness and early detection of Cancer. Under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme also activities like training of Staff on leprosy and public awareness activities have been undertaken. Both the National Leprosy Programme and National Cancer Control Programme have NGO schemes whereby NGOs are involved in creating awareness and educating the public regarding facts of the diseases.
(c) Under the National TB Control Programme, cash assistance to the tune of Rs.2655.38 lakhs has been given to the States for procurement of anti-TB drugs for sputum negative cases during 1999-2000. Besides this, Rs.5586.631 lakhs has also been relelased up to 31/3/2000 to the States for implementing the World Bank assisted Revised National TB Control Programme. Besides this, 100% of drugs requirement and recruitment of microscopes under the RNTCP is also met by the Central Government.
So far as National Cancer Control Programme is concerned, Rs.3500 lakhs had been allocated for this programme for the year 1999-2000, out of which Rs.3449 lakhs had been released during the year.
Under the Cardio-Vascular Diseases Programme, Rs.60 lakhs was allocated for the year 1999-2000.
Under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme, Rs.7979.99 lakhs have been released to the States during 1999-2000, which includes Rs.1474 lakhs in the form of cash grant, Rs.1800 lakhs in kind, which is given as anti-Leprosy drugs to the States, and Rs.4705.99 lakhs given as cash assistance to the District Leprosy Societies for undertaking various activities under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme.
(d) Under the RNTCP, efforts are being made to expand the coverage of population from 180 million at present to 500 million by the end of 2001-2002. Under the National Cancer Control Programme budget for the year 2000-2001 is increased to Rs.50 lakhs from Rs.35 lakhs in 1999-2000 for increasing activities for early detection, awareness and treatment of Cancer, particularly in rural areas. Under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme Government will continue to provide free MDT services in the districts during the current year and the next year. Other activities like training of staff and public awareness efforts will continue to be undertaken.
