Overall performance of RNTCP in tribal areas not optimal: Govt

The overall performance of the Revised National Tuberculosis Programme (RNTCP) in tribal areas of the country between 2010 and 2012 was not optimal, the government said today.
"The study by National Institute for Research in Tribal Health, Jabalpur, undertaken through analysis of RNTCP data for 2010-12 has stated that the overall RNTCP performance in tribal areas of the country was not optimal," Health Minister J P Nadda said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.
Districts implementing RNTCP in various states can be graded from low performing to high performing based on several indicators which are applicable for both tribal and non-tribal districts.

"Nevertheless, there are peculiar problems in tribal districts due to issues related to accessibility and socio-economic conditions," the minister said.
He said that the overall treatment success rate among new smear positive cases registered under the RNTCP in tribal districts is almost similar to the national average for years 2010, 2011 and 2012 and the cure rates observed in tribal districts were better as compared with backward districts.
RNTCP has enhanced norms for tribal areas and has also formulated a Tribal Action Plan to be implemented by the states through their National Health Mission Project Implementation Plan-approved mechanism, Nadda said.