Date:24/03/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/03/24/stories/2005032401321700.htm

Back 13 States doing well, says TB Report Card

Our Bureau

New Delhi , March 23

THE India TB Report Card on Wednesday indicated that 13 out of 35 States and Union Territories have met the targets set by the Union Government and the global community, while Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Punjab and Nagaland have failed to control the spread of infectious tuberculosis.

States like Kerala and Delhi, which have done well, are also showing signs of slipping down in the number of patients being treated. "That should not happen and they should be cautious," said the Report Card issued by Massive Effort Campaign, Results International and Saahasee (a Delhi-based NGO). Besides these 13 States, another eight States are close to achieving the target.

"This performance needs to be sustained, and expanded to all the States ," said Dr Bobby John of the Massive Effort Campaign.