Chennai: Chief Minister Edappadi K.Palaniswami on Saturday launched new facilities to diagnose and treat patients with tuberculosis to mark World Tuberculosis Day. The Chief Minister flagged off two mobile units of newly introduced diagnostic machine-'Cartridge-Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test Lab' (CBNAAT).
The vehicles equipped with CBNAAT will conduct free medical check ups in all districts of the state. It will include identification of TB patients followed by intensified medication. The medical team will also conduct awareness programme on tuberculosis.
CM also launched a new scheme to offer cash assistance of '500 to those affected with tuberculosis. However, the scheme will be rolled out next month. Health minister C, Vijayabaskar and health secretary J. Radhakrishnan were present at the event.
In Chennai, there are about 600 private hospitals, 2,000 labs and 2,000 pharmacies and there are also 12,000 doctors practising in the capital city. The state recently made it mandatory for all medical establishments to keep the state informed about the prevalence of TB.
