diseases center, to provide on proper and scientific lines, a facility for diagnosis, treatment and follow up of tuberculosis patients. The aim being both the prevention and further control of this deadly disease.

The ‘Progress’ TB & Chest Diseases Center, is dedicated to helping patients, their families and the communities overcome tuberculosis through its work at the grassroot levels by TB’s screening services, by facilitating and supporting community action and government through maintaining services essential for TB control, by incorporating, community DOTS and integrating DOTS in ongoing program activities, in health related areas like HIV/AIDS as well as by influencing policies and practices affecting the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of TB. It shall function in collaboration and coordination with the national TB control program, the anti TB association and shall follow the treatment guidelines of the WHO and IUALD. It shall exchange information and carryout research activities both with the national and international TB care organizations.

It shall also disseminate information about TB, through social workers, at the grassroots levels of the community, to identify suspected patients, referring them to diagnostic centers for a sputum smear, to ensure directly observed treatment, to dispense medications during initial and continuation phases of treatment and to follow up on TB patients during and after completion of treatment. In addition awareness on issues of sexual and reproductive health shall be provided, enabling people to become more conscious and hence empowered when making decisions on these matters.

Awareness on HIV/AIDS, the incidence of which is on gradual rise in our country and which is one of the important factor causing a resurgence of tuberculosis, shall also be carried out at the center.