Transforming TB treatment landscape through greater access and affordability
Mylan’s CSR efforts in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh won the Best Public Health Initiative award at the ETHealthworld Intelligent Health & Tech Awards 2020 held recently. The Active Case Finding for Tuberculosis (TB) project aimed at elimination of tuberculosis, was commended by the jury for making significant societal impact, advancing inclusive growth and taking quality healthcare to the poor and needy patients residing in remote areas or difficult terrain.
In Bahraich – more than 1 million people were surveyed, sputum of 6070 high risk individuals was tested and 617 positive Tuberculosis cases were reported. Over 700 new patients were linked with the public health system. As TB is a major health challenge in India, a pilot project of the National Strategic Planning (2017-2025) by Indian Government, was initiated by Mylan, in partnership of AIDENT and with support from NITI Aayog to eradicate tuberculosis in Bahraich, by means of Active Case Finding (ACF). Bahraich is one of the aspirational districts and several interventions were planned for the region with guidance from NITI Aayog.
The project, in August this year, featured as one of the 15 case studies released as part of the best practices compendium document on Tuberculosis in India, released by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
Dr. Harshvardhan, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, India, released the document, the first of its kind, consisting of unique case studies on innovative approaches to eliminate TB.
“Mylan has a global commitment to transform the TB treatment landscape through greater access and affordability. Mylan is partnering with the Government of India in their program for TB elimination by 2025, by helping patients in India with increased access to treatment. With the introduction of critical life-saving drugs, we continue our mission to ensure affordable and sustainable access to new TB treatments for vulnerable patients,” said Mr. Rakesh Bamzai, President, India and Emerging Markets, Mylan.
Information, Education and Communication (IEC) played a vital role in the project helping boost awareness in the community. To ensure efficient and effective use of IEC materials, a distribution network was enabled as the project activities commenced. National Tuberculosis Elimination Program’s (NTEP) IEC materials were reprinted on hoardings, replicated as wall paintings, and distributed as posters, stickers, leaflets. Over 120,000 leaflets were distributed during the ACF. This comprehensive IEC plan coupled with other key activities resulted in the following outcomes. State officials and NTEP constantly supported the project by monitoring the outcomes of activities.
- The Active Case Finding covered 1235280 people from five blocks of the district
- Sputum of 6070 high risk cases was tested
- Reported positive cases stood at 617
- There were 969 notifications during the period of Dec’18 - May19.
- MDR-TB cases reported in the period were 77.
- Private notification during the period stood at 253
The CSR project in Bahraich is a true testament to Mylan’s mission of providing access to medicine and healthcare to the 7 billion people around the world and in India.
