| Adilabad Rural and Tribal Health Interventions - ARTH* |
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| Leprosy |
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During the commencement of the project the New Case Detection Rate (NCDR) and prevalence rate was 6 and 12 percent in the project area. The consecutive year NCDR and PR has gone up to 23 and 12 percent, which is a direct result of active search. With the efforts of ARTH Project NCDR and PR rate has come down to 2.2 and 0.8 in the first quarter of 2008.
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| Tuberculosis: |
Considering the endemic of TB, ARTH Project started TB activities in 2003 to support the RNTCP programme in the district. The activities include providing DOTS in DMCs, referral of patients to concerned MCs in the project area, annual examination of contacts of sputum +ve cases, prophylaxis to child contacts, IEC activities, and Capacity building to community and stakeholders on RNTCP and DOTS
The project started with 2 Designated Microscopic Centre (DMC) and later extended to 8 more DMCs in the district. Out of 35 DMCs in the district 10 DMCs comes under ARTH project, which is catering to tribal and remote areas of the district.
A TB Cured Patient sharing his experience at Nirmal DMC
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The project examined 667 symptomatic suspects out of which 178 cases confirmed during January to March 2008. Out of 178 confirmed cases, 99 cases are category-I, 19 cases are under category-II and 60 cases are under category-III. INH treatment provided to 12 children and 5 cases put on HIV-TB co-infection
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| Malaria |
Malaria is one of the most common infectious diseases and an enormous public-health problem. ARTH has taken initiative for malaria control and preventive measures in three endemic tribal PHCs in third quarter of 2003. ARTH supported activities for malaria control include rapid fever survey with govt. staff, icon spray, bed nets and Gambusia fish distribution. More than 3000 suspected malaria cases were referred to the concerned PHC and 17 drug delivery centers sensitized for strengthening drug delivery. Around 200 bed nets distributed for the pregnant women as a part of preventive measures by selecting the list of pregnant women in the PHC villages
Considering the district, which is historically prone to vector borne diseases, it is envisaged to collaborate with NVBDCP at district level for malaria eradication.
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| Lymphatic Filariasis |
It is an observation from the field that there is a high prevalence of Lymphatic Filariasis disease in Adilabad district. Around 395 cases identified in 82 villages, 142 are men and 253 women. Out of eight mandals, Thanoor mandal in Bhainsa zone comprising 15 villages is worst effected with Filariasis. Women constitute the majority of the observed cases.
The main objective of the programme is to reduce acute attacks, make the leg healthier and prevent the worsening of leg.
Around 45 patients selected for self-care management from five villages of Thanoor mandal. Out of 45, male 14 and female 31 cases selected and trained in self-care management
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| Responses of some patientsnt |
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“My legs were like hard stone with heavy weight and after self-care practice with water soaking I experienced weight reduction and more importantly softness of the leg, which has given comfortness” - Monabai
“Water soaking has given big relief and also reduced the size of the leg. Earlier I use to experience pain and stiffness on my leg when I use to walk for longer distance. Now simple water soaking with detergent and oil massage has given big relief” - Pentubai
“Infected leg muscle was tight and stiff and I use to experience more weight on leg. But after water soaking the stiffness of the leg was released and I am feeling more comfortable then previous days” - Laxmibai |
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| Eye Care |
Considering the eye care problem, ARTH Project started its vision care activities in December 2004 by establishing a vision centre at ARTH project office, Nirmal. In addition, coordination with the ophthalmic assistants at PHC level, the staff participates in screening and mobilising community for camps. Two Community Health Organisers were trained as Ophthalmic Assistants and attended social module of community based rehabilitation at Sri Ramana Maharshi Academy for the blind, Bangalore.
The project activities include vision centre screening as well as field level screening for cataracts. One part time ophthalmologist attends the clinic at project office for diagnosis and treatment including general eye care with the provision of free medicine and referral of cataracts to the concerned government hospital for surgery.
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| Around 969 cataracts identified during four and half years period and out of this about 564 underwent for surgeries in the government hospitals. Out of 969 cataracts, around 76.2 percent referred for surgeries on the basis of patient willingness and achieved 76.3 percent surgeries during these years |
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