Odisha Seeks Adequate Supply of Anti-TB Drugs from Centre

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has asked the Centre for adequate supply of anti-tuberculosis drugs from the Central TB Division.

In a letter to the Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, State Health Minister Niranjan Pujari said that since February 2023 there has been inadequate supply of Anti-TB drugs from the Central TB Division, Government of India, which has adversely affected the implementation of National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) in Odisha.

“The National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) is a flagship programme, wherein emphasis is given for early detection, treatment and prevention of tuberculosis. Odisha State has been implementing all the interventions and has achieved good results in the past. However, it is pertinent to mention here that since February 2023 there has been inadequate supply of Anti TB Drugs from the Central TB Division, Government of India, which has adversely affected programme implementation in the State”, the letter reads.

The State Authorities have indented the drugs as per their requirement from time to time, but supply of the same from Government of India is grossly inadequate. An attempt was made by the State to procure Anti TB Drugs locally but the same was unsuccessful due to non-availability of these drugs in the local market, it added.

The Odisha Health Minister said that the matter has been brought to the notice of Government of India in various meetings, discussions, as well as through letter of the Director, Public Health, Odisha and letter of the Mission Director, National Health Mission, Odisha.

“Under the circumstances, it is requested to kindly look into the matter urgently and take appropriate steps for early supply of TB drugs to the State”, Pujari said.