The Hindu : National : “Recognise corporate sector’s contribution to TB control”

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“Recognise corporate sector’s contribution to TB control”

Urvashi Sarkar

NEW DELHI: To make the Partnership for Tuberculosis Care and Control in India a success, the contribution of the corporate sector should be recognised and non-government organisations sensitised, Subrat Mohanty of the Partnership Secretariat said here on Wednesday.

“The Partnership should continue to support the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) at the State and district levels, while brand building and sharing of success stories and case studies should be encouraged,” he said.

Mr. Mohanty was speaking at the National Consultative Meeting of Partners during which the Partnership website, www.tbpartnershipindia.org , was launched.

Stating that the website was a forum where success stories concerning TB could be shared, Central TB Division deputy director-general L.S. Chauhan said the Partnership had provided a common platform for bringing together various stakeholders involved in TB control. “An action plan is needed to take the Partnership forward.”

On the aim of the Partnership which is to support and strengthen government efforts related to RNTCP, USAID Population Health and Nutrition deputy director Kendra Phillip said: “The Partnership should support and align with the national programme and also attempt to address gaps and challenges and reach out to vulnerable groups.”

“It is also important to evolve strategies for enhancing political commitment, generating resources and enabling diverse voices to be heard. The Partnership should be a nodal point of communication for different agencies,” Dr. Phillip said.

Stating that the Partnership provided a platform for RNTCP to grow at the community level, The Union South East Asia director, Nevin Wilson, said, “This civil society Partnership can provide a growing edge to the national programme.”

Challenges

Outlining the various challenges faced by India in controlling TB, Stop TB Partnership Secretariat Partnering and Social Mobilisation team leader Giuliano Gargioni said: “The size of the country and its different constituencies pose a challenge. It is important to evolve a multi-sector approach and recognise the public function of private initiative.”

Dr. Gargioni said issues of a legal framework for the Partnership, resource mobilisation and development of networks among the partners had to be addressed.

A number of non-governmental organisations recounted their experiences in Meghalaya, Manipur, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and other States with regard to Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilisation (ACSM), which is a significant component of RNTCP. Speakers emphasised that the Partnership was a milestone in the efforts for TB control.

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