He underlined the critical role shouldered by frontline healthcare workers of Humana People To People India (HPPI) by regularly reaching out to key and other vulnerable populations, like homeless people and migrants, and screening them for TB. Those with active TB disease are linked to free TB treatment services from the nearest government-run facility and receive daily follow up and support to tide through their treatment (which lasts for at least 6 months) so that they can get cured.
HPPI is reaching those who are most difficult to reach and convince them to take a TB test in a timely manner, said Dr KP Singh. "Without them, it would have been impossible to screen this population and link them to TB diagnosis, treatment, care and support." He commended HPPI workers like Vinay, Preeti, Kamlesh and others.
Dr BK Vashisht, former State TB Officer of Delhi, agrees: Key and other vulnerable populations are at a very high TB risk. The track record of HPPI is commendable as their trained workers reach out to the underserved people with compassion and empathy, and regularly screen them for TB. Engaging those who have got cured of TB as TB champions has helped fight TB stigma and reduce discrimination.
Ravinder Kumar of HPPI who leads a team of frontline healthcare workers, agrees: It needs a lot of courage for TB survivors to share their journey and lived experience with others. "We salute this spirit of TB survivors who are championing the cause and standing up to help others win over TB. We need to end all forms of TB stigma and discrimination if we are to end TB."
Big challenge is to retain people all through TB treatment
Not just getting diagnosed early and accurately is challenging but retaining homeless people and migrants all through TB treatment could also be a very daunting task.
After getting diagnosed, it is very difficult to hold or retain people from key and other vulnerable populations all through the TB treatment, said Dr KP Singh. "We cannot hold them without HPPI support. We are unable to provide support to each one of them which HPPI provides. They are in regular touch with the person and the communities. We cannot drop a single TB case and holding each one of them all through the TB treatment is very important if we are to end TB."
Dr Singh assured of his continued support to groups like HPPI so that Pili Kothi area can become TB free. For making TB history, it is critical that we reach out to key and other vulnerable communities with help from groups like HPPI.
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