The Aster DM Healthcare group signed the Corporate TB Pledge contributing India’s National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) announced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi to eradicate TB from India by 2025, five years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2030).
During the pledge signing event, Aster DM Healthcare announced some of their major initiatives to meet the TB- SDG targets set by the nation including two-year community screening program in the districts with limited access to medical care, beginning in Kerala’s Wayanad and Idukki districts with special consideration to tribal populations, Initiating DR-TB Clinics in the Aster DM Healthcare center for providing quality healthcare to DR-TB patients. Periodic community awareness program through Aster’s DM Healthcare’s visual media and social media platforms and implementing TB control activity through Aster Pharmacies across South India.
Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman & Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare said, “Tuberculosis is still a major medical scourge affecting over 10 million people worldwide and killing 1.5 million every year. While it is curable now with effective and timely medication, lack of awareness and non-availability of medicines are the reasons why it is still prevalent. Aster has been deeply involved in the mission to eradicate TB in coordination with the Public Health authorities. The TB STEPS Centre for tuberculosis management ensure complete management pertaining to TB being delivered through a single window in private hospitals. By joining hands with Central Government-initiated Corporate TB Pledge, Aster plans to develop existing Aster STEPS centers into model/learning sites and conduct ‘STEPS Summits’ to encourage corporate hospitals to ensure highest Standards of TB Care in India.”
Aster DM Healthcare has been involved in Tuberculosis care since 2017 by implementing TB management system (Aster STEPS Centre) to manage cases in the centres according to Indian Standards of TB Care. It is a single window system in private hospitals for ensuring all public health actions pertaining to TB.
By joining hands with Corporate TB Pledge the institution also plans to develop existing Aster STEPS centers into model/learning sites and conduct ‘STEPS Summits’ to encourage corporate hospitals to ensure Standards of TB Care in India.
“Tuberculosis has been one of the oldest infectious diseases troubling mankind. By associating with initiatives like this, Aster reaffirms our commitment towards a TB free India, said Dr. Anup R Warrier, Consultant Infectious Diseases & Infection Control, Aster DM Healthcare.
According to *Global TB Report 2021, an estimated 9.9 million people fell ill with TB globally in 2020 and India carries an estimated 26% of the global TB burden. In 2019, TB caused 1.4 million deaths globally, of which India accounted for 31%.
The Corporate TB Pledge (CTP) initiative was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2019 and is being implemented by The International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung diseases (The Union) as part USAID/India- supported iDEFEAT TB Project.
For more information visit: https://www.asterdmhealthcare.com/
