Express Healthcare | IOCL signs MoU with Central TB Division

Dec 28,2022

The MoU was signed in presence of Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya and Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri

Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), as part of its corporate Social responsibility (CSR) with the Central TB Division (CTD) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the states of Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to undertake intensified TB elimination project. The MoU was signed in presence of Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya and Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri.

Uttar Pradesh and Chhatisgarh share the highest burden of TB cases among large states in India.

This anti-TB campaign, as part of IOCL’s CSR, aims to ensure early identification of presumptive TB and prompt diagnosis using high-sensitivity diagnostic tests at the doorstep. The drive also aims to offer sustainable and equitable access to free high-quality TB treatment, care, and support services to the people of Uttar Pradesh and Chhatisgarh.

IndianOil has emerged as the first corporate to supplement state efforts in Active Case Finding campaign (ACF) by investing close to Rs 64 crore in all 75 districts of UP, covering approximately 10 per cent of its population once a year for three years. IndianOil will also introduce 18 mobile medical vans equipped with diagnostic technology in Uttar Pradesh. This would aid diagnosis of TB in rural areas and hard-to-reach communities leading to improved early case detection and thereby ensuring early treatment.

IndianOil will provide a cost-effective, novel molecular diagnostic machine, which will improve access, availability, and utilisation of TB diagnostic services in UP and remote tribal areas of Chhattisgarh. In addition to providing Truenat machines in 18 mobile medical vans being introduced for UP, IndianOil will provide approx 100 of these machines in all Tuberculosis Units of all the 8 Aspirational Districts of UP (Bahraich, Balrampur, Chandauli, Chitrakoot, Fatehpur, Shravasti, Siddharthnagar & Sonbhadra) and Community Health Centres (CHC) in the state of Chhattisgarh. Moreover, the company will provide handheld Xray Units in UP covering all 18 State Head Quarters and 8 Aspirational Districts. Xray Units will also be provided in 5 divisions of Chhattisgarh.

Dr Mandaviya hailed the signing of the MOU by stating that these MoUs are of immense importance in eliminating the menace of TB. “As part of the holistic governance approach, both ministries have collaborated through this MOU. This agreement will bolster Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision to end Tuberculosis in India by 2025, five years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). The diagnostic support provided as part of the MOU will strengthen the efforts to identify TB patients enabling timely treatment.”