Independent Task Force Formed To Examine TB Control in Nepal
Nepal's National Tuberculosis Center on Monday formed an independent 20-member task force to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the tuberculosis "situation" in Nepal, the Rising Nepal reports. The group is tasked with ensuring an evaluation of the country's TB program, Kailesh Bahadur Karki, a trainer at the SAARC Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Center, said.
According to Karki, the task force includes Ram Chandra Man Singh, a secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population; Mahendra Bahadur Bista, director-general of the Department of Health Services; Pushpa Malla, NTC director; and K.K. Jha, director of the SAARC TB.
The task force plans to observe the program's operations and conduct site visits to speak to health workers and people living with TB, according to Rising Nepal. It also will work to increase awareness about TB; garner political commitments; and mobilize nongovernmental organizations, the private sector, donors and HIV/AIDS programs, Karki said. In addition, the task force will gauge the effectiveness of the national TB program's control objectives and is expected to produce a report detailing its findings (Rising Nepal, 10/4).