CHENNAI: In a bid to attain 'TB Free Chennai' status, the Greater Chennai Corporation has joined hands with NGOs to reach out to the slums in the city to ensure effective eradication of Tuberculosis.
The civic body also had invited bidders to fabricate its 7 vans and convert them into Mobile Diagnostic Units (MDU). A separate tender has also been floated to invite potential suppliers to supply X-ray machines and other equipment to be fitted with the fabricated vans.
According to a Chennai Corporation official, the civic body has started 'TB Free Chennai' programme to conduct a dedicated drive to eradicate the disease in the city. “For the purpose, we have partnered with a US-based non-governmental organisation called Stop TB Partnership. The NGO would provide necessary funds to conduct TB Free Chennai campaign,” official said.
The mobile diagnostic units would be fabricated and fitted with X-ray machines at a cost of '3.53 crore. “'1.34 crore will be spent on fabricating the vans and '2.18 crore will be spent on procuring X-ray machines,” the official added.
It is learnt that the NGO would help the Chennai Corporation with monetary assistance only. “We have roped in Reach Foundation, a city-based NGO to implement the programme. We have also sought technical assistance from National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis,” the official added.
The MDUs would regularly visit slum areas in the city.”The vehicles will conduct periodic screening camps in slum areas and refer TB patients to intensive care. The MDUs will be readied within three months,” the official said.
According to the tender documents, the MDUs will have lightweight X-ray units suitable for chest X-ray with an option for taking abdominal X-ray. The vehicles would also have GPS trackers with fuel updating, separate storages tanks for fresh water and wastewater apart from fuel storages.
