With eight years of implementation and three years of large-scale service delivery, the RNTCP has proved its credibility as the most effective strategy to control TB in India. This group of medical college teachers is greatly impressed by the achievements made by the RNTCP to date. It is heartening to note that the DOTS strategy is today available to nearly half of the country’s population. The group also notes with satisfaction that despite the massive and rapid expansion of the revised strategy, there has been no compromise on quality of services and overall results remain technically acceptable and in many areas are excellent.
The continuing success of the programme will depend to a large extent on the involvement of all large providers of care of which medical colleges form a major part. Medical colleges play a critical role in TB control both as opinion leaders/ trendsetters and as referral centres. Medical colleges impart knowledge & skills, shape attitudes of the medical students and also update the knowledge of practitioners. Improved teaching will promote sustainability of the programme. Medical colleges must therefore continue and increase their support in implementation of the RNTCP on a priority basis. With this background, this Workshop appreciates the due importance given to medical colleges in the RNTCP and recommends the following:
Implementation of RNTCP at Medical Colleges:
| 1. |
Directors of medical education, Deans, and Principals should be sensitized to the RNTCP. One nodal MO from each medical college should be trained at central level and should be the officer in charge of RNTCP services. |
| 2. |
In co-ordination
with their respective DTCs, each medical college should establish
facilities for participation in the programme as a TU, MC, and/or
treatment observation centre. For this purpose, medical colleges
should identify a space for locating the appropriate service integrated
with similar available service network, e.g. if a MC then it should
be located with existing laboratory facilities within its hospital
premises. This facility should be the responsibility of the Chest
Department, with full involvement of all other relevant departments,
particularly PSM, Microbiology, etc. Medical colleges must specifically
earmark the health functionary to perform the identified function.
Training for staff at these centres, logistics and manpower support
(LT, TBHV, MO, supervisor) wherever required should be sought from
the RNTCP through district TB officials. RNTCP should provide binocular
microscope, medicines, reagents, slides, sputum containers, stationery,
etc., as needed. |