#Global Tuberculosis Programme

[sagunpaudel]

Global tuberculosis report 2023

The WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2023 provides a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the TB epidemic, and of progress in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease, at global, regional and country levels. This is done in the context of global TB commitments, strategies and targets.The 2023 edition of the report is based primarily on data gathered by WHO from national ministries…

[worldtbday]

We need to urgently fast-track the response against this ancient disease and reach those affected with the care they need.

Millions of people around the world suffer and die from tuberculosis - a preventable, treatable and curable disease. Here is a message from Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO's Global Tuberculosis Programme, to mark World TB Day 2023. The theme of World TB Day this year - 'Yes! We can end TB!' - aims to inspire hope and encourage high-level leadership, increased investments, faster uptake of new WHO recommendations, adoption of innovations, accelerated action, and multisectoral collaboration to combat the TB epidemic.

To learn more about the World TB Day campaign and how you can join us, please access

[justforbooks]

People will face terror and starve, many will die

The decimation of USAid is already having a terrible effect in some of the poorest places on the planet. It damages America: it will harm us all

An earthquake of magnitude 7.0 or above could not have caused more carnage. Recent floods in Asia and droughts in Africa have been catastrophic, yet they have inflicted less damage and affected fewer people than the sudden withdrawal of billions of dollars of US aid from the world’s most volatile hotspots and its most vulnerable people. Coming alongside President Trump’s plan for a US takeover of Gaza, the US administration’s resolve to shut down its international aid agency sends a clear message that the era when American leaders valued their soft power is coming to an end.

But while the Gaza plan is as yet only on the drawing board, USAid cuts – which will see funding slashed and just 290 of the more than 10,000 employees worldwide retained, according to the New York Times - have already begun to bite this week. We have seen the halting of landmine-clearing work in Asia, support for war veterans and independent media in Ukraine, and assistance for Rohingya refugees on the border of Bangladesh. This week, drug deliveries to fight the current mpox and Ebola outbreaks in Africa have been stopped, life-saving food lies rotting at African ports, and even initiatives targeting trafficking of drugs like fentanyl have been cut back. One of the world’s most respected charities, Brac, says that the 90-day blanket ban on helping vulnerable people is depriving 3.5 million people of vital services.

One critical programme has been granted a limited waiver. Pepfar, created by Republican president George W Bush, offers antiretroviral prescriptions to 20 million people around the world to combat HIV and Aids. Its activities escaped the ban only after warnings that a 90-day stoppage could lead to 136,000 babies acquiring HIV. But it has still been blocked from organising cervical cancer screening, treating malaria, tuberculosis and polio, assisting maternal and child health, and efforts to curtail outbreaks of Ebola, Marburg and mpox.

Not only does the stop-work edict mean that, in a matter of days, the US has destroyed the work of decades building up goodwill around the world, but Trump’s claim that America has been over-generous is exposed as yet another exaggeration. Norway tops the list as biggest donor of official development assistance (ODA) as a percentage of gross national income (GNI) at 1.09%; Britain is at just over 0.5%, albeit down from the UN target of 0.7%; but the US is near the bottom of the advanced economies at 0.24% – alongside Slovenia and the Czech Republic. It is simply the size of the US economy – 26% of world output – that means that the 0.24% adds up to more aid than any other country. The US provided $66bn in 2023, making USAid a leader in global humanitarian aid, education and health, not least in addressing HIV/Aids, malaria and tuberculosis.

On Sunday night, Trump told reporters that USAid had been “run by a bunch of radical lunatics, and we’re getting them out”. “I don’t want my dollars going towards this crap,” his press spokesperson added, with one of the president’s chief advisers Elon Musk calling the agency a “viper’s nest of radical-left marxists who hate America”. “You’ve got to basically get rid of the whole thing. It’s beyond repair,” he said. “We’re shutting it down.”

Indeed, in a post on X last weekend, Musk shared a screenshot quoting the false claim that “less than 10 percent of our foreign assistance dollars flowing through USAID is actually reaching those communities”. The implication is that the remaining 90% was diverted, stolen, or just wasted. In fact, the 10% figure is the proportion of the budget going directly to NGOs and organisations in the developing world. The remaining 90% is not wasted – instead, it comprises all the goods and services that USAid, American companies and NGOs, and multilateral organisations deliver in kind, from HIV drugs to emergency food aid, malaria bed nets, and treatment for malnutrition. It is simply untrue that 90% of aid falls into the wrong hands and never reaches the most vulnerable.

In fact, the initial blanket executive order proved to be such a blunt instrument – the only initial exemptions were for emergency food aid and for military funding for Israel and Egypt – that it had to be modified to include exceptions for what the government called “life-saving humanitarian assistance”, although it stopped short of defining them. “We are rooting out waste. We are blocking woke programs. And we are exposing activities that run contrary to our national interests. None of this would be possible if these programs remained on autopilot,” said a statement released by the state department. The new secretary of state, Marco Rubio, now wants his department to control the whole budget and close down USAid entirely. “Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous?” Rubio asked in a statement that suggested that the America which generally worked multilaterally in a unipolar era is now determined to act unilaterally in a multipolar one.

This new stance is not just “America first” but “America first and only” – and a gift to Hamas, IS, the Houthi rebels, and all who wish to show that coexistence with the US is impossible. The shutdown is also good news for China, whose own global development initiative will be strengthened as it positions itself to replace America. Desperate people will turn to extremists who will say that the US can never again be trusted. And by causing misery and by alienating actual and possible allies, far from making America great again, the cancellation of aid will only make America weaker.

The tragedy for the planet is that US aid cuts come on top of diminishing aid budgets among the world’s richest economies, from Germany to the UK. International aid agencies are now so underfunded that in 2024, for the second consecutive year, the UN covered less than half of its humanitarian funding goal of nearly $50bn – at a time when increasing conflicts and natural disasters necessitate more relief donor grants than ever. Yes, we can discuss how greater reciprocity can create a fairer system of burden sharing – but further cuts in aid threaten more avoidable deaths, and a poorer world will ultimately make the US poorer too.

US generosity is often seen as mere charity, but it is in the country’s self-interest to be generous because the creation of a more stable world benefits us all. We all gain if USAid can mitigate the spread of infectious diseases, prevent malnutrition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan, halt the upsurge of IS in Syria and support a fair, humanitarian reconstruction of Gaza and Ukraine. Only the narrowest and most blinkered view of what constitutes “America first” can justify the disaster America has unloaded on the world.

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at Just for Books…?

[sybaritick]

also!! happy SMALLPOX ERADICATION (it was today, December 9th, in 1979!)

with so many other health interventions i am excited about in progress-- development of a malaria vaccine and improved access to tuberculosis testing are the ones i think of but there are many people who know way more about this than me-- take a moment to think about this one today.

During the eighth plenary meeting of the Thirty-third World Health Assembly, the president of the assembly, Dr A-R. A. Al-Awadi, signed resolution WHA 33.3. The first two sentences of the resolution read: “Having considered the development and results of the global programme on smallpox eradication initiated by WHO in 1958 and intensified since 1967 … Declares solemnly that the world and its peoples have won freedom from smallpox, which was a most devastating disease sweeping in epidemic form through many countries since earliest time, leaving death, blindness and disfigurement in its wake and which only a decade ago was rampant in Africa, Asia and South America.”

it's incredible how much human suffering and how many deaths we were able to prevent through research and public policy (and making money available for these extensive vaccination campaigns in the developing world.) and if you really do only care about the money... eradicating smallpox has paid for itself many times over in terms of what governments no longer spend treating it.

and be proud!

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

WHO applauds Brazil’s leadership in advancing multisectoral engagement towards ending TB

The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomes the new decree by the President of Brazil, His Excellency Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on the establishment of an Interministerial Committee for the Elimination of Tuberculosis and other Socially Determined Diseases (CIEDS).

“Brazil has made rapid progress over the past six months in bringing together nine ministries to prioritize ending TB and address the key drivers of the epidemic. WHO applauds the leadership of H.E. President Lula da Silva in establishing the Interministerial Committee,” said Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Global TB Programme. “This will serve as an inspiration for other leaders. We urge countries to advance efforts to strengthen multisectoral collaboration, and build an effective accountability system on ending TB.”

The Interministerial Committee will be coordinated by the Ministry of Health that is headed by Honorable Minister Dr Nísia Trindade Lima, and will include representatives from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Hunger, Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship, Ministry of Racial Equality, Ministry of Integration and Regional Development, Ministry of Justice and Public Security, and Ministry of Indigenous Peoples. The committee will support Brazil's ambitious plan to end TB and address the main drivers of the TB epidemic including poverty, undernutrition, and other vulnerabilities affecting key populations.

Continue reading.

[hopelessbluebird]

What is it: Paris Agreement

“The Paris Agreement (also called the Paris Accords or Paris Climate Accords) is an international treaty on climate change that was signed in 2016.[3] The treaty covers climate change mitigation, adaptation, and finance.”

“The Paris Agreement has a long-term temperature goal which is to keep the rise in global surface temperature to well below 2 °C (3.6 °F) above pre-industrial levels. The treaty also states that preferably the limit of the increase should only be 1.5 °C (2.7 °F)”

(Tldr: Paris Climate Agreement is the agreement to limit emissions and limit global emissions to combat global warming.)

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Agreement (Bite me. Wikipedia is good.)

What is it: World Health organisation

“WHO leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage. We direct and coordinate the world’s response to health emergencies. And we promote healthier lives – from pregnancy care through old age. Our Triple Billion targets outline an ambitious plan for the world to achieve good health for all using science-based policies and programmes.”

“From emerging epidemics such as COVID-19 and Zika to the persistent threat of communicable diseases including HIV, malaria and tuberculosis and chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer, we bring together 194 countries and work on the frontlines in 150+ locations to confront the biggest health challenges of our time and measurably advance the well-being of the world’s people.”

(Tldr: The WHO is a global organisation combatting illness, sickness and health emergencies, they handle epidemics, pandemics, disease breakouts and other such problems globally.)

Source: https://www.who.int/about

What does this mean:

With my limited understanding, this means that The USA will be ignoring regulations put in place by both of the mentioned things. However withdrawal from the WHO takes ages; as it’s heavily intertwined within itself as it studies medicine and health as well as efforts to combat disease and illness.

I cannot stress enough that I am not an expert on either of these fields, and if I’m incorrect in any capacity please correct me. This is only what I can find very quickly to answer my own as well as others questions

Two days in. TWO DAYS

Nazi salutes

Started mass deportations (and ICE raids in major cities)

Has sent the national guard to the Mexico border

Wants to rename the fucking Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America

Is targeting the cartels (cause that's gonna end well)

Shut down the CBP One app - which the Biden-Harris administration started to start process for immigrants to enter legally

Wants to get rid of "birthright citizenship" which GOES AGANIST the 14the amendment of the constitution. 18 states have pushed back against him.

Withdrew us from the Paris Climate Agreement.

Withdrew us from the World Health Organization

The government is only recognizing two sexes

Revoked the Equal Employment Opportunity order of 1965

He required a full-time return to in-office work for federal employees and ordered a hiring freeze on government positions.

The hiring freeze does not apply to the military or "immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety."

Pardoned the domestic terrorists who stormed the capitol on Jan 6.

Trump also rescinded a 2022 Biden order to lower the cost of prescription drugs.

And there's probably so much more that I'm leaving out or not seeing; because I can't fucking keep up.

He also owns the house and the senate….

[drrupal-helputrust]

Dr. Rajendra Prasad | A Legacy of Excellence in Pulmonary Medicine | Story in His Own Words

Professor (Dr.) Rajendra Prasad is Member of the Internal Advisory Committee of Help U Educational and Charitable Trust.

Prof. Rajendra Prasad is a towering figure in the field of Pulmonary Medicine in India. As the Director of Medical Education and Professor, Department of Respiratory Medicine at Era’s Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, and Emeritus Professor, National Academy of Medical Sciences, India, his contributions have left an indelible mark on medical education, research, and patient care.

With an illustrious career spanning nearly five decades, Prof. Prasad has held prestigious positions including Director, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute (VPCI), Delhi, Head of Pulmonary Medicine, King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, and Director, U.P. Rural Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Saifai. His academic journey began at KGMU, Lucknow, where he earned his MBBS in 1974 and MD in 1979, later advancing his expertise in Pulmonary Medicine, Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy, and Lung Cancer from Japan.

A pioneer in Tuberculosis research and control, Prof. Prasad played a key role in shaping the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), now known as the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP). He was instrumental in establishing the DOTS Center at KGMU, one of the first medical college-based centers in India, and has been a leading advocate for engaging both government and private medical colleges in the fight against TB. His commitment has earned him a place as Vice Chairman of the National Task Force for Medical Colleges in NTEP and Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Tuberculosis Association.

Prof. Prasad's influence extends beyond India—he has served as the International Governor of the American College of Chest Physicians (USA) and is a respected authority worldwide. He holds the unique distinction of having presided over all major Indian scientific bodies in Pulmonary Medicine, including:

National College of Chest Physicians, India

Indian Chest Society

Indian College of Allergy, Asthma & Applied Immunology

Indian Association for Bronchology

Tuberculosis Association of India

His contributions to medical literature are unparalleled, having supervised over 215 research studies and published 600 original articles, reviews, and book chapters. He is the author of 12 books, including four on Tuberculosis, an Atlas on Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy, and the Manual of Chest X-rays, uniquely based on Indian patients. His research excellence has been globally recognized—Stanford University ranked him among the top 2% of scientists worldwide in both career-long and recent-year rankings, with 7,632 citations, an H-index of 45, and an i10-index exceeding 182.

Prof. Prasad’s passion for medical education, patient care, and research has led to transformative developments. Under his leadership at KGMU, he established multiple specialized services, including:

Video Bronchoscopy (First in Uttar Pradesh)

Medical Thoracoscopy

Thoracic Oncology Unit

Air Pollution-Related Disease Diagnostic Center

Sleep Lab

This exceptional contribution has earned him the title of “Father of Pulmonary Medicine” in Uttar Pradesh. His students, now esteemed pulmonologists across India, consider him an inspiring mentor.

His relentless dedication to advancing medicine and public health has been recognized through over 75 prestigious awards, including:

Dr. B.C. Roy National Award

Lifetime Achievement Awards from multiple national organizations

Vigyan Gaurav Award (Council of Science & Technology, Government of Uttar Pradesh)

UP Ratna Award

O.A. Sarma Oration Award

M. Santosham Oration Award

Dr. Reddy’s Lung Cancer Oration Award

Dr. R.V. Rajam Academic Oration Award (National Academy of Medical Sciences, India)

Prof. Rajendra Prasad’s journey is a testament to excellence, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to medical science. His legacy continues to shape the future of Pulmonary Medicine, inspiring generations of doctors, researchers, and healthcare leaders worldwide.

#DrRajendraPrasad #PulmonaryMedicine #MedicalEducation #TuberculosisControl #NTEP #RespiratoryHealth #MedicalResearch #PublicHealth #ChestPhysician #MedicalLeadership #HealthcareInnovation #TBElimination #LungHealth #MedicalMentor #LifesavingScience #IndianMedicalExcellence #MedicalPioneer #GlobalHealthcare #HealthcareHero

#narendramodi #PMOIndia

#YogiAdityanath #UPCM

#IACM #InternalAdvisoryCommitteeMember

#helputrust #HelpUEducationalandCharitableTrust

#KiranAgarwal #DrRupalAgarwal #HarshVardhanAgarwal

#followers #highlight #topfans

www.helputrust.org

[helputrust-drrupal]

Dr. Rajendra Prasad | A Legacy of Excellence in Pulmonary Medicine | Story in His Own Words

Professor (Dr.) Rajendra Prasad is Member of the Internal Advisory Committee of Help U Educational and Charitable Trust.

Prof. Rajendra Prasad is a towering figure in the field of Pulmonary Medicine in India. As the Director of Medical Education and Professor, Department of Respiratory Medicine at Era’s Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, and Emeritus Professor, National Academy of Medical Sciences, India, his contributions have left an indelible mark on medical education, research, and patient care.

With an illustrious career spanning nearly five decades, Prof. Prasad has held prestigious positions including Director, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute (VPCI), Delhi, Head of Pulmonary Medicine, King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, and Director, U.P. Rural Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Saifai. His academic journey began at KGMU, Lucknow, where he earned his MBBS in 1974 and MD in 1979, later advancing his expertise in Pulmonary Medicine, Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy, and Lung Cancer from Japan.

A pioneer in Tuberculosis research and control, Prof. Prasad played a key role in shaping the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), now known as the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP). He was instrumental in establishing the DOTS Center at KGMU, one of the first medical college-based centers in India, and has been a leading advocate for engaging both government and private medical colleges in the fight against TB. His commitment has earned him a place as Vice Chairman of the National Task Force for Medical Colleges in NTEP and Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Tuberculosis Association.

Prof. Prasad's influence extends beyond India—he has served as the International Governor of the American College of Chest Physicians (USA) and is a respected authority worldwide. He holds the unique distinction of having presided over all major Indian scientific bodies in Pulmonary Medicine, including:

National College of Chest Physicians, India

Indian Chest Society

Indian College of Allergy, Asthma & Applied Immunology

Indian Association for Bronchology

Tuberculosis Association of India

His contributions to medical literature are unparalleled, having supervised over 215 research studies and published 600 original articles, reviews, and book chapters. He is the author of 12 books, including four on Tuberculosis, an Atlas on Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy, and the Manual of Chest X-rays, uniquely based on Indian patients. His research excellence has been globally recognized—Stanford University ranked him among the top 2% of scientists worldwide in both career-long and recent-year rankings, with 7,632 citations, an H-index of 45, and an i10-index exceeding 182.

Prof. Prasad’s passion for medical education, patient care, and research has led to transformative developments. Under his leadership at KGMU, he established multiple specialized services, including:

Video Bronchoscopy (First in Uttar Pradesh)

Medical Thoracoscopy

Thoracic Oncology Unit

Air Pollution-Related Disease Diagnostic Center

Sleep Lab

This exceptional contribution has earned him the title of “Father of Pulmonary Medicine” in Uttar Pradesh. His students, now esteemed pulmonologists across India, consider him an inspiring mentor.

His relentless dedication to advancing medicine and public health has been recognized through over 75 prestigious awards, including:

Dr. B.C. Roy National Award

Lifetime Achievement Awards from multiple national organizations

Vigyan Gaurav Award (Council of Science & Technology, Government of Uttar Pradesh)

UP Ratna Award

O.A. Sarma Oration Award

M. Santosham Oration Award

Dr. Reddy’s Lung Cancer Oration Award

Dr. R.V. Rajam Academic Oration Award (National Academy of Medical Sciences, India)

Prof. Rajendra Prasad’s journey is a testament to excellence, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to medical science. His legacy continues to shape the future of Pulmonary Medicine, inspiring generations of doctors, researchers, and healthcare leaders worldwide.

#DrRajendraPrasad #PulmonaryMedicine #MedicalEducation #TuberculosisControl #NTEP #RespiratoryHealth #MedicalResearch #PublicHealth #ChestPhysician #MedicalLeadership #HealthcareInnovation #TBElimination #LungHealth #MedicalMentor #LifesavingScience #IndianMedicalExcellence #MedicalPioneer #GlobalHealthcare #HealthcareHero

#narendramodi #PMOIndia

#YogiAdityanath #UPCM

#IACM #InternalAdvisoryCommitteeMember

#helputrust #HelpUEducationalandCharitableTrust

#KiranAgarwal #DrRupalAgarwal #HarshVardhanAgarwal

#followers #highlight #topfans

www.helputrust.org

[helpukiranagarwal]

Dr. Rajendra Prasad | A Legacy of Excellence in Pulmonary Medicine | Story in His Own Words

Professor (Dr.) Rajendra Prasad is Member of the Internal Advisory Committee of Help U Educational and Charitable Trust.

Prof. Rajendra Prasad is a towering figure in the field of Pulmonary Medicine in India. As the Director of Medical Education and Professor, Department of Respiratory Medicine at Era’s Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, and Emeritus Professor, National Academy of Medical Sciences, India, his contributions have left an indelible mark on medical education, research, and patient care.

With an illustrious career spanning nearly five decades, Prof. Prasad has held prestigious positions including Director, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute (VPCI), Delhi, Head of Pulmonary Medicine, King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, and Director, U.P. Rural Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Saifai. His academic journey began at KGMU, Lucknow, where he earned his MBBS in 1974 and MD in 1979, later advancing his expertise in Pulmonary Medicine, Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy, and Lung Cancer from Japan.

A pioneer in Tuberculosis research and control, Prof. Prasad played a key role in shaping the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), now known as the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP). He was instrumental in establishing the DOTS Center at KGMU, one of the first medical college-based centers in India, and has been a leading advocate for engaging both government and private medical colleges in the fight against TB. His commitment has earned him a place as Vice Chairman of the National Task Force for Medical Colleges in NTEP and Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Tuberculosis Association.

Prof. Prasad's influence extends beyond India—he has served as the International Governor of the American College of Chest Physicians (USA) and is a respected authority worldwide. He holds the unique distinction of having presided over all major Indian scientific bodies in Pulmonary Medicine, including:

National College of Chest Physicians, India

Indian Chest Society

Indian College of Allergy, Asthma & Applied Immunology

Indian Association for Bronchology

Tuberculosis Association of India

His contributions to medical literature are unparalleled, having supervised over 215 research studies and published 600 original articles, reviews, and book chapters. He is the author of 12 books, including four on Tuberculosis, an Atlas on Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy, and the Manual of Chest X-rays, uniquely based on Indian patients. His research excellence has been globally recognized—Stanford University ranked him among the top 2% of scientists worldwide in both career-long and recent-year rankings, with 7,632 citations, an H-index of 45, and an i10-index exceeding 182.

Prof. Prasad’s passion for medical education, patient care, and research has led to transformative developments. Under his leadership at KGMU, he established multiple specialized services, including:

Video Bronchoscopy (First in Uttar Pradesh)

Medical Thoracoscopy

Thoracic Oncology Unit

Air Pollution-Related Disease Diagnostic Center

Sleep Lab

This exceptional contribution has earned him the title of “Father of Pulmonary Medicine” in Uttar Pradesh. His students, now esteemed pulmonologists across India, consider him an inspiring mentor.

His relentless dedication to advancing medicine and public health has been recognized through over 75 prestigious awards, including:

Dr. B.C. Roy National Award

Lifetime Achievement Awards from multiple national organizations

Vigyan Gaurav Award (Council of Science & Technology, Government of Uttar Pradesh)

UP Ratna Award

O.A. Sarma Oration Award

M. Santosham Oration Award

Dr. Reddy’s Lung Cancer Oration Award

Dr. R.V. Rajam Academic Oration Award (National Academy of Medical Sciences, India)

Prof. Rajendra Prasad’s journey is a testament to excellence, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to medical science. His legacy continues to shape the future of Pulmonary Medicine, inspiring generations of doctors, researchers, and healthcare leaders worldwide.

#DrRajendraPrasad #PulmonaryMedicine #MedicalEducation #TuberculosisControl #NTEP #RespiratoryHealth #MedicalResearch #PublicHealth #ChestPhysician #MedicalLeadership #HealthcareInnovation #TBElimination #LungHealth #MedicalMentor #LifesavingScience #IndianMedicalExcellence #MedicalPioneer #GlobalHealthcare #HealthcareHero

#narendramodi #PMOIndia

#YogiAdityanath #UPCM

#IACM #InternalAdvisoryCommitteeMember

#helputrust #HelpUEducationalandCharitableTrust

#KiranAgarwal #DrRupalAgarwal #HarshVardhanAgarwal

#followers #highlight #topfans

www.helputrust.org

[helputrust-harsh]

Dr. Rajendra Prasad | A Legacy of Excellence in Pulmonary Medicine | Story in His Own Words

Professor (Dr.) Rajendra Prasad is Member of the Internal Advisory Committee of Help U Educational and Charitable Trust.

Prof. Rajendra Prasad is a towering figure in the field of Pulmonary Medicine in India. As the Director of Medical Education and Professor, Department of Respiratory Medicine at Era’s Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, and Emeritus Professor, National Academy of Medical Sciences, India, his contributions have left an indelible mark on medical education, research, and patient care.

With an illustrious career spanning nearly five decades, Prof. Prasad has held prestigious positions including Director, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute (VPCI), Delhi, Head of Pulmonary Medicine, King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, and Director, U.P. Rural Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Saifai. His academic journey began at KGMU, Lucknow, where he earned his MBBS in 1974 and MD in 1979, later advancing his expertise in Pulmonary Medicine, Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy, and Lung Cancer from Japan.

A pioneer in Tuberculosis research and control, Prof. Prasad played a key role in shaping the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), now known as the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP). He was instrumental in establishing the DOTS Center at KGMU, one of the first medical college-based centers in India, and has been a leading advocate for engaging both government and private medical colleges in the fight against TB. His commitment has earned him a place as Vice Chairman of the National Task Force for Medical Colleges in NTEP and Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Tuberculosis Association.

Prof. Prasad's influence extends beyond India—he has served as the International Governor of the American College of Chest Physicians (USA) and is a respected authority worldwide. He holds the unique distinction of having presided over all major Indian scientific bodies in Pulmonary Medicine, including:

National College of Chest Physicians, India

Indian Chest Society

Indian College of Allergy, Asthma & Applied Immunology

Indian Association for Bronchology

Tuberculosis Association of India

His contributions to medical literature are unparalleled, having supervised over 215 research studies and published 600 original articles, reviews, and book chapters. He is the author of 12 books, including four on Tuberculosis, an Atlas on Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy, and the Manual of Chest X-rays, uniquely based on Indian patients. His research excellence has been globally recognized—Stanford University ranked him among the top 2% of scientists worldwide in both career-long and recent-year rankings, with 7,632 citations, an H-index of 45, and an i10-index exceeding 182.

Prof. Prasad’s passion for medical education, patient care, and research has led to transformative developments. Under his leadership at KGMU, he established multiple specialized services, including:

Video Bronchoscopy (First in Uttar Pradesh)

Medical Thoracoscopy

Thoracic Oncology Unit

Air Pollution-Related Disease Diagnostic Center

Sleep Lab

This exceptional contribution has earned him the title of “Father of Pulmonary Medicine” in Uttar Pradesh. His students, now esteemed pulmonologists across India, consider him an inspiring mentor.

His relentless dedication to advancing medicine and public health has been recognized through over 75 prestigious awards, including:

Dr. B.C. Roy National Award

Lifetime Achievement Awards from multiple national organizations

Vigyan Gaurav Award (Council of Science & Technology, Government of Uttar Pradesh)

UP Ratna Award

O.A. Sarma Oration Award

M. Santosham Oration Award

Dr. Reddy’s Lung Cancer Oration Award

Dr. R.V. Rajam Academic Oration Award (National Academy of Medical Sciences, India)

Prof. Rajendra Prasad’s journey is a testament to excellence, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to medical science. His legacy continues to shape the future of Pulmonary Medicine, inspiring generations of doctors, researchers, and healthcare leaders worldwide.

#DrRajendraPrasad #PulmonaryMedicine #MedicalEducation #TuberculosisControl #NTEP #RespiratoryHealth #MedicalResearch #PublicHealth #ChestPhysician #MedicalLeadership #HealthcareInnovation #TBElimination #LungHealth #MedicalMentor #LifesavingScience #IndianMedicalExcellence #MedicalPioneer #GlobalHealthcare #HealthcareHero

#narendramodi #PMOIndia

#YogiAdityanath #UPCM

#IACM #InternalAdvisoryCommitteeMember

#helputrust #HelpUEducationalandCharitableTrust

#KiranAgarwal #DrRupalAgarwal #HarshVardhanAgarwal

#followers #highlight #topfans

www.helputrust.org

[helputrust]

Dr. Rajendra Prasad | A Legacy of Excellence in Pulmonary Medicine | Story in His Own Words

Professor (Dr.) Rajendra Prasad is Member of the Internal Advisory Committee of Help U Educational and Charitable Trust.

Prof. Rajendra Prasad is a towering figure in the field of Pulmonary Medicine in India. As the Director of Medical Education and Professor, Department of Respiratory Medicine at Era’s Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, and Emeritus Professor, National Academy of Medical Sciences, India, his contributions have left an indelible mark on medical education, research, and patient care.

With an illustrious career spanning nearly five decades, Prof. Prasad has held prestigious positions including Director, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute (VPCI), Delhi, Head of Pulmonary Medicine, King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, and Director, U.P. Rural Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Saifai. His academic journey began at KGMU, Lucknow, where he earned his MBBS in 1974 and MD in 1979, later advancing his expertise in Pulmonary Medicine, Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy, and Lung Cancer from Japan.

A pioneer in Tuberculosis research and control, Prof. Prasad played a key role in shaping the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), now known as the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP). He was instrumental in establishing the DOTS Center at KGMU, one of the first medical college-based centers in India, and has been a leading advocate for engaging both government and private medical colleges in the fight against TB. His commitment has earned him a place as Vice Chairman of the National Task Force for Medical Colleges in NTEP and Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Tuberculosis Association.

Prof. Prasad's influence extends beyond India—he has served as the International Governor of the American College of Chest Physicians (USA) and is a respected authority worldwide. He holds the unique distinction of having presided over all major Indian scientific bodies in Pulmonary Medicine, including:

National College of Chest Physicians, India

Indian Chest Society

Indian College of Allergy, Asthma & Applied Immunology

Indian Association for Bronchology

Tuberculosis Association of India

His contributions to medical literature are unparalleled, having supervised over 215 research studies and published 600 original articles, reviews, and book chapters. He is the author of 12 books, including four on Tuberculosis, an Atlas on Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy, and the Manual of Chest X-rays, uniquely based on Indian patients. His research excellence has been globally recognized—Stanford University ranked him among the top 2% of scientists worldwide in both career-long and recent-year rankings, with 7,632 citations, an H-index of 45, and an i10-index exceeding 182.

Prof. Prasad’s passion for medical education, patient care, and research has led to transformative developments. Under his leadership at KGMU, he established multiple specialized services, including:

Video Bronchoscopy (First in Uttar Pradesh)

Medical Thoracoscopy

Thoracic Oncology Unit

Air Pollution-Related Disease Diagnostic Center

Sleep Lab

This exceptional contribution has earned him the title of “Father of Pulmonary Medicine” in Uttar Pradesh. His students, now esteemed pulmonologists across India, consider him an inspiring mentor.

His relentless dedication to advancing medicine and public health has been recognized through over 75 prestigious awards, including:

Dr. B.C. Roy National Award

Lifetime Achievement Awards from multiple national organizations

Vigyan Gaurav Award (Council of Science & Technology, Government of Uttar Pradesh)

UP Ratna Award

O.A. Sarma Oration Award

M. Santosham Oration Award

Dr. Reddy’s Lung Cancer Oration Award

Dr. R.V. Rajam Academic Oration Award (National Academy of Medical Sciences, India)

Prof. Rajendra Prasad’s journey is a testament to excellence, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to medical science. His legacy continues to shape the future of Pulmonary Medicine, inspiring generations of doctors, researchers, and healthcare leaders worldwide.

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[sagunpaudel]

World leaders commit to new targets to end TB

World leaders at the United Nations General Assembly’s High-Level Meeting on Tuberculosis have approved a Political Declaration with ambitious new targets for the next five years to advance the global efforts towards ending the TB epidemic. The targets include reaching 90% of people with TB prevention and care services, using a WHO-recommended rapid test as the first method of diagnosing TB;…

[odnewsin]

Unhealthy diets, physical inactivity driving abdominal obesity in India: Ex-WHO Scientist Soumya Swaminathan

Unhealthy diets and physical inactivity are the main reasons for rising abdominal obesity in India, said Soumya Swaminathan, former WHO Chief Scientist.  Swaminathan, who is currently the Principal Advisor for the Health Ministry’s tuberculosis programme called for expanding access to healthier diets and spaces for exercise in the country to fight against obesity, which is already a global health…

[decentralvaccine]

Vaccines Save 150M Lives Over 5 Years

We know vaccines have been a miracle for public health. Now, new research led by the World Health Organization has found vaccines have saved an estimated 154 million lives in the past 50 years from 14 different diseases. Most of these have been children under five, and around two-thirds children under one year old.

In 1974 the World Health Assembly launched the Expanded Programme on Immunization with the goal to vaccinate all children against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), measles, polio, tuberculosis and smallpox by 1990. The program was subsequently expanded to include several other diseases.

The modelling, marking 50 years since this program was established, shows a child aged under ten has about a 40% greater chance of living until their next birthday, compared to if we didn’t have vaccines. And these positive effects can be seen well into adult life. A 50-year-old has a 16% greater chance of celebrating their next birthday thanks to vaccines.

[kspp]

Countdown Begins for TB Mukt Bharat.

24th March is observed as World Tuberculosis Day in the memory of Dr. Robert Koch.

In 1883, Dr Robert Koch discovered the bacteria that causes TB. However, it took 60 years since then for the discovery of its’ cure and another 6 years to actually test it on a human patient. Since then, there have been many scientific breakthroughs to detect and cure this disease, however, it continues to haunt many developing nations as a major public health challenge. WHO has recognized TB as one of the top 10 causes of morbidity and mortality in 2019. Even though it is prevalent in Asia, Africa, Caribbean countries etc, India alone accounts for over one-third of deaths in the world. COVID-19 pandemic has only made it worse.

In 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced to make India free of Tuberculosis in 2025, which is 5 years before the SDG 2030 timelines. This was a huge commitment. To bring this to fruition, multiple stakeholders, especially the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women and Child, ICMR, National Institute of Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT) and the States have engaged and planned to eliminate this communicable disease, but how close are we from the intended goal?

In the recent report released by NIRT, Chennai – ICMR on 25th March 2022, there are revelations and insights that policymakers working in this area must actively look into. The report indicates that a mammoth nationwide survey, targeting over 3.5 lakh people was conducted before and during the COVID pandemic. NIRT aimed to cover 625 clusters across all states of which only 448 could be covered. The BIMARU states along with Haryana, which have higher incidences than the national average, defaulted the most from the protocol with each targeting less than 60% of the intended clusters. But, to give credit where its’ due, the will to complete this survey showed the commitment of all stakeholders to eliminate TB from India.

The report contains a study on the ‘Health Seeking Behavior’ of over 3 Lakh symptomatic participants across India, which clearly shows that of the 14k people showing symptoms eligible for a sputum test, 65% did not consult for TB symptoms due to various reasons, the most alarming being “Ignored symptoms – 68%” and “Could not afford to seek care – 11%”. Even though Government of India under various programmes and schemes is provisioning for free-of-cost diagnosis and cure along with awareness campaigns in all mediums, the impact is clearly questionable.

India has done well, but time is ticking away. 2025 is not far and we are way behind in achieve the goal of eliminating TB from India. If we only talk about pulmonary TB cases, the policymakers must consider recommendations given by NIRT with respect to including X-Ray and Molecular testing for more effective detection of TB. Given the current inflation (both urban and rural) in India because of various global phenomena, Nikshay Poshan Abhiyaan scheme to give direct cash transfers to patients of Rs. 500 for 6 months each, might not meet its intended goal of improving nutrition levels. Also, research shows that the duration DOT treatment can be reduced from 6 months to 4 months in cases where the severity of infection is lower. Making detection, escalation and treatment more robust is imperative.

We need a targeted approach for eliminating TB. The targeting must be done to cater to the most infringed and untouched parts of the populations in tribal areas, as well as remote parts of India, who have a deviant lifestyle with respect to prescriptions for TB, owing to traditions, social interactions or education levels. Women and Children must be given special attention to this approach as per their nutrition needs. States which are performing ineffectively, must catalyze their efforts and align with the national mission and create real-time dashboards for transparency and public involvement. Every state must trickle down district based targets for each day.

Lastly, the most vital means is awareness. Effective messaging should be given utmost importance to hammer the gravity of the situation in the minds of all sections and sub-sections of India, especially the states where the curative health infrastructure is in tatters. Early detection for better response should be one of the mantras going forward. Simultaneous capacity building for health infrastructure and awareness programmes to nudge people to take the tests will catalyze detection and give a better picture for conceiving subsequent mitigation strategies.

If we wish to make India ‘TB Mukt’ as early as possible, we take the right steps in the right direction. This cannot be done by Government alone as seen in the reports as well, support from private sector and Civil Soceity Organizations are a must. With ongoing research for easier solutions and a potential one-time vaccination for TB elimination underway, it is not an impossible dream but a tedious one at that.