More than 1,700 bacteriologically confirmed TB cases in Mandalay were identified through the PICTS (Programme to Increase Catchment of Tuberculosis Suspects) project in 2013. The results were presented at the project's annual meeting, held on 21 January 2014 at the Regional Health Department, Mandalay.
PICTS is a collaborative project serving the seven townships of Mandalay. The 60 participants at the meeting included all stakeholders: directors of The Union Office in Myanmar, township medical officers, TB key persons, lab technicians, TB specialists, TB counselors, medical superintendents, TB field supervisors, PICTS volunteers and representatives of the UN Office Project Services (UNOPS) in Myanmar.
2013 highlights of PICT activities in the seven townships
- Special Outreach Programmes were held 48–60 times in each township
- 480–600 Health Education Sessions were held (40-50 HE sessions for a township per month)
- TB messages reached 170,000 people (13% of the total population)
- 42 mobile chest X-ray clinics were held with 2,500 people receiving chest X-rays. 204 TB cases were identified among them.
- The total number of TB cases (all forms) was 3,468 numbers; a 14% increase from the baseline.
- 1,716 TB cases were bacteriologically confirmed (51% of all forms).
In addition to review of annual results, the meeting included a session on planning the advocacy project funded by The Global Fund for 2014–2016.
Photos: Lwin Lwin Thant/The Union