World TB Day

Initiative from TB Forum Kerala

Project Axshya is implemented in 11 districts of Kerala. The TB Forums developed by the Project in these districts are very active. They have conducted several innovative advocacy activities like getting pensions, nutritional support to TB Patient through VHSC Forum etc. The idea of Nutritional Kits which got national level acknowledgement from different stakeholders came from the core discussion at one of the TB Forum meetings in Kollam (Kerala).

The idea of providing nutritional support to TB Patients through Aganwadi was appreciated by the District TB officer Kollam and decided to submit the memorandum to the District Collector for his consideration.

As the idea got recognized at the district level, CHAI Central Office with UNION planned to take up the same with the state and central governments. As the world TB Day was nearby, CHAI planned to submit the memorandum to the Union Mister for Food and Civil Supplies Minister Prof K V Thomas pressurize the government to take some favourable action.

The same idea was discussed with the State TB Officer Dr. S Jayasankar and WHO Consultant Dr. Shibu Balakrishna, and their valuable inputs were included in the memorandum to make it more specific and relevant. Accordingly, a copy of the memorandum was shared with the Minister for his perusal and he appreciated the concept and told that a positive action will be taken at the central level.

On 24^rd March five representatives from different TB Forums (Idukki, Malapuram, Kozikode) presented the Memorandum to the Honourable Minister Prof K V Thomas during the State World TB Day Celebrations at Cochin and in reply Honourable Minister responded that all effort will be taken by the State and Central Government to address the issues mentioned in memorandum especially issuing nutritional food to TB patients through Aganwadi.