The Ayushman Bharat - Health and Wellness Centre is being strengthened in Varanasi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of making the country TB-free by 2025 under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP).

Dr. Sandeep Chowdhary, the Chief medical officer said that as per the government instructions, several guidelines have been issued for Community Health Officers (CHOs) posted at all health and wellness centers of the district.

Community Health Officers (CHOs) have been given guidelines for diagnosing and treating TB patients, as well as Rs 500 per month during treatment and nutrition packages. Medical officials, STS, STLS, and TB Health visitors have also received recommendations for frequent monitoring of the districts 23 TB units.

The CMO stated that the department is making every effort to guarantee that people receive quality health care at the grassroots level.

Dr. Piyush Rai, district tuberculosis officer (DTO), convened a virtual conference with all CHOs to offer guidance on screening and treating Drug Sensitive Tuberculosis (DSTB) patients.

The Health and Wellness Centre has been designated as the focal center for the care of DSTB patients, delivering checkups and medications close to their homes. Aside from screening and treating people with TB symptoms, he added, a particular focus is being placed on frequent data input into the Nikshay portal.

Korauta Health & Wellness lab CHO Priya Mall has indicated that a full screening of potential patients with TB symptoms is being conducted.Their sputum is collected by producing a Nikshay ID and submitting it to the testing facility. On testing positive, they are immediately being treated. If the sputum test is negative, an X-ray is performed.

(Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/ab-hwc-being-boosted-to-root-out-tuberculosis/articleshow/99802510.cms)