Hinduja Global Solutions Limited (HGS), has joined hands with Mumbai-based P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre for the “Treat to Cure MDR TB” programme. This initiative aims to provide treatment for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients and address the cause of growing mortality rate due to TB in India.
World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report 2017 revealed that an estimated 10.4 million people fell ill with TB in 2016. 56% of these were in five countries - India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines and Pakistan. In 2016, there were 600,000 new cases with resistance to Rifampicin (RR- TB), the most effective first-line drug of which 490,000 had multidrug resistant TB (MDR-TB). 47% of these cases were in India, China and the Russian Federation. The magnitude of drug resistant-TB problem in India has also risen. Currently, WHO estimates incidence of MDR-TB to be around 147,000. This translates to 11 patients per 100,000 population.
HGS’ “Treat to cure MDR TB project” was initiated in August 2015 with an aim to provide help in diagnosing the disease in its early stages to ensure that the patients receive the right treatment at the right time and are cured successfully. The project includes funding the total cost of the two-year treatment cycle - medicines, labs test and other diagnostic services required by these patients.
Speaking about the programme, Smita Gaikwad, senior vice president – global corporate communications & CSR, HGS said, “TB needs immediate attention in terms of both diagnosis and treatment, and improved sharing of patient care information. HGS’ Treat to Cure MDR-TB is a positive step taken in the direction of funding proper diagnosis and providing accurate treatment. Our partnership with P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre will ensure quality care for 100 patients.”
Gautam Khanna, CEO, P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Center said, “A large number of patients are found affected by TB, both in India and globally. There is an urgent need for well-equipped organizations and resources that can help us fight TB, one of the most lethal diseases. I am hopeful that our association with HGS will definitely make a difference in treating TB patients in India.”
Dr. Camilla Rodrigues, consultant microbiologist & chairperson - Infection Control Committee, P D Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Center remarked, “TB is the world’s biggest public health killer and Drug Resistant TB threatens to derail the progress to control it. The treatment cost for each patient is approximately two lakh rupees and HGS’ support is a big help for us.”
A report published by Dr. Zarir F. Udwadia, consultant chest physician at P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre in 2012 resulted in a nationwide notification of TB as well as a major restructuring in the National TB Control Programme in Maharashtra and Bombay Municipal Corporation to enhance case detection and treatment of MDR-TB and XDR-TB. In 2013, Global Health Strategies (GHS) conferred P.D Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Center with the “1st TB Champions” award for its outstanding contribution to the testing and effective management of the disease.
HGS was recently recognized for its “Treat to Cure MDR-TB” programme in the “Concern for Health” category at the ET Now – CSR Leadership Awards 2018.