A BMC health official said that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the civic body had engaged with many private hospitals for providing services like Covid-19 positive patient management, quarantine facilities as well as vaccination of the community
The BMC used bilateral testing for TB patients to detect Covid as their symptoms are similar. Representation pic
After seeing the potential of engaging with private hospitals to fight the pandemic, the BMC now wants to work with them to eradicate tuberculosis from Mumbai. In a virtual meeting held with representatives of 43 private hospitals on October 4, the BMC has asked for their cooperation so that the disease can be eradicated by 2025.
ADVERTISEMENT
A BMC health official said that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the civic body had engaged with many private hospitals for providing services like Covid-19 positive patient management, quarantine facilities as well as vaccination of the community. “We therefore want to capitalise on the existing partnership between the BMC and private corporate hospitals, to work together towards eliminating TB,” said the health official.
During the virtual meeting, the BMC highlighted how the newer Drug Resistance TB (DRTB) services can be made accessible to private hospitals. “Signing of an MoU to engage them in the TB elimination programme will also help in decentralisation of DRTB services to districts,” said the health official. Dr Mangala Gomare, executive health officer, congratulated all the private hospitals who worked in the PPP to successfully manage the pandemic. She said various partnership options are available for private sector engagement with the TB Control Society and are being implemented at hospitals like PD Hinduja, Unison Medicare, Doctors for You, K J Somaiyya, Sarvoday, Wadia, etc.
Suresh Kakani, additional municipal commissioner, who chaired the session said since 50 per cent of the TB case burden is diagnosed in the private sector, it is important that they commit towards TB control activities.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
