Lok Sabha Question No. 4183 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: MoU between AYUSH and TB Division
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Shri Balashowry Vallabhaneni

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4183

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 th  DECEMBER, 2024

## 'MoU between AYUSH and TB Division '

## 4183 .   Shri Balashowry Vallabhaneni:

Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that an MoU was signed between AYUSH Ministry and the Central TB Division to forge convergence so as to eliminate TB from the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  the  extent  to  which  the  MoU  has  helped  AYUSH  Ministry  to  develop  linkages  and integrate TB care services with other healthcare infrastructure; and

(d)  the  manner in which the Government has orientated and sensitised not only people but also AYUSH UG and PG students towards TB and its elimination from the country?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a)  to  (d)  Yes,  an  MoU  was  signed  between  the  Ministry  of  Ayush  and  the  Central  TB Division  on  04.07.2019  with  the  objectives  of  convergence  at  policy,  programme,  and implementation  levels  across  both  ministries  for  a  multi-sectoral  and  accelerated  response toward Tuberculosis (TB) -Free India with following scope of collaborations:

-  Development  of  linkages  and  integration  of  TB  care  services  under  the  health infrastructure and institutional network affiliated with the Ministry of Ayush;
-  Awareness generation and sensitization among various communities including Ayush service providers about Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) guidelines, TB diagnosis & treatment and recent policy changes and initiatives;
-  Orientation and Sensitization of final year Undergraduate students, Interns, Postgraduate students, faculty of Ayush on TB prevention, diagnostics and treatment through modular lectures and inclusion in the Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs;

-  Capacity  building  of  in-service  and  private  Ayush  practitioners  through  modular trainings  and  Continuing  Medical  Education  (CME)  for  early  diagnosis  of  TB, improving referral of patients and their engagement as community Directly Observed Therapy  (DOT)  providers  and  involvement  in  the  implementation  of  Tuberculosis Control Programme.
-  Promote  adjuvant  use  and  undertake  research  collaboration  about  evidence  based Ayush interventions for TB control and management; and
-  Facilitate  development  of  TB-Free  workplaces  by  adoption  of  inclusive  workplace policies and best practices at Ayush institutions, offices, health facilities etc.

A  guidance  document  on  collaborative  initiatives between  the  National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) and the Ministry of Ayush, has been released which has been endorsed by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.

All Ayush Medical Officers are encouraged to actively screen for presumptive TB cases and refer  to  the  nearest  NTEP  diagnostic  health  facility.  Linkages  of  Ayush  facilities  for  TB diagnosis and treatment is being facilitated by the State Governments.

Training of Trainers (ToTs) have been organized by Central TB Division, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for in-service Ayush Practitioners, and Research Officers in four batches at National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases (NITRD), New Delhi from 18. 12. 2023 to 21. 12. 2023.

********