One of the challenges in alleviating TB is the hardship associated with continually monitoring the health of the patients. This is especially true in the case of those patients who approach the state-sponsored hospitals which are under-equipped in many ways.
But there’s good news from one part of India. For in Jaipur, the health department has developed a system by which they can monitor if a patient takes medicines on time or not.
“If a patient forgets to take the pill, we will get the information through the system,” said Dr Dilip Kumar Kala, state tuberculosis officer.
According to Dr Kala, patients often forget to take pills for TB- something that worsens their health. Thanks to the new system, the information would directly reach the health department if a patient fails to take the medicine on time.
The system is introduced under the 99 DOTS(Directly Observed Treatment, Short-Course) scheme. Every dose of tablet carries a distinct number on its strip. By the system, the patient is required to give a miss call to the number once the medicine is taken.
Once the patient gives a miss call, the system resisters that s/he has taken the medicine. On the other hand, if a missed call is not received, the health department officials can surmise that the patient has forgotten to take the medicine.
Similar system is used for HIV patients as well. It’s said that in Jaipur, there are 21 people with HIV or TB who take the medicine under the system that was launched recently. In different districts including Dausa, Tonk, Sawai Madhopor and Karauli, 40 patienst receive medicine under the new scheme.
The idea definitely is simple as it is utilitarian. But it’s one that could help bolster India’s ongoing fight against TB, also one which other states may do well to adopt.
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