TB champs to motivate people to beat the disease

Due to multiple reasons like a family issue, work-related problems, losing hope, side effects and migration, many patients abandon TB treatment. In the past 3 years, around 5,956 patients in Mumbai abandoned treatment

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), have trained a group of TB champions - those who defeated the disease - to convince those who have abandoned treatment for tuberculosis, to complete it. Mumbai makes up around 22 per cent to 24 per cent of TB cases in the state. Due to multiple reasons like a family issue, work-related problems, losing hope, side effects and migration, many patients abandon TB treatment. In the past 3 years, around 5,956 patients in Mumbai abandoned treatment.

The TB champs also faced several hurdles during treatment but defeated the disease. BMC Executive Health Officer Dr Mangla Gomare said they have been provided with a list of irregular patients and those who left treatment. The champs have to call and motivate them with their stories and convince them to get treated. She said, “We initiated this on a pilot basis in 2019 but due to Covid-19 there were some hurdles. Now we have extended our programme and have 24 champs in Mumbai.”

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