IMPHAL, March 24 - The 37th World Tuberculosis Day (TB) was observed in Manipur on Saturday with various programmes.
The State-level function was held at the Indian Medical Association Hall at Lamphelpat here in which Health and Family Welfare Minister L Jayantakumar Singh announced five welfare schemes for TB patients in the State.
The schemes include nutritional support of Rs 500 for TB patients every month till the completion of treatment from April 2018, and Rs 1,000 as incentive to all first informers of new TB cases.
Free drugs will be provided for eligible patients for multi-drug resistant (MDR)-TB treatment. The duration of MDR-TB treatment has been shortened to 9-12 months from the previous duration of 24-27 months.
The Health Minister also launched a mobile CBNAAT van for Manipur, which will specially be used in hilly areas where facilities are not available. The minister appealed to the public to cooperate with the Government in implementing its initiatives to create a TB-free society.
