Medical Department Refutes Report on Incomplete TB Treatment for Patients

**Bhilwara,  The Chief Medical and Health Officer, Dr. Chetendra Puri Goswami, has refuted a news report published on June 10, 2024, titled "Patients Not Receiving Complete Treatment, Dream of TB-Free Nation by Next Year Unfulfilled." Dr. Goswami clarified that there were issues with the supply of TB medication, but the department has addressed the situation by mandating 37 medical stores across the district to stock TB drugs.

Dr. Goswami stated that in February 2024, the District TB Elimination Center, Bhilwara, procured and distributed 13,200 tablets through a limited tender. Additionally, the state supplied 215,040 tablets of 4 FDC and 64,512 tablets of 3 FDC in February. In May 2024, another 24,192 tablets of 3 FDC were received. On May 22, 2024, the district received 864 sets of 3 FDC and 4 FDC each, followed by 2,016 sets of 4 FDC and 1,440 sets of 3 FDC on June 8. These supplies have been distributed across the district, ensuring the availability of TB medications at all healthcare institutions.

District TB Control Officer, Dr. Pradeep Kataria, added that requests for TB medication have been made to the state level, and the State TB Officer in Jaipur has been informed. According to directives from the Government of India and the State Government, if free medications are not available at medical institutions, patients are permitted to purchase the drugs themselves. The medication details, including the Nikshay ID, are noted on the OPD slip by the medical officer, which is signed and stamped. Patients can then purchase the medication and submit the bill along with their bank details to any government medical institution, such as a medical college, district hospital, TB elimination center, CHC, PHC, dispensary, or public clinic. The bills are collected and submitted to the DTC Bhilwara, after which the patient is reimbursed via DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer).

The medical department reassures that all efforts are being made to ensure the continuous supply of TB medications and that no patient will be left untreated due to a lack of medicine.