We are proud to announce that this year, Team PrTHAM MGIMS Sevagram has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious award of recognition as "Global TB Elimination Champions for World TB Day 2024." The PrTHAM project, standing for "Preventing Tuberculosis amongst Healthcare Workers at MGIMS Sevagram," is a collaborative initiative led by Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (MGIMS), SHARE INDIA, CDC, Government of India, and the Central TB Division under the TB Mukt Bharat Initiative.
Each year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) marks World TB Day by acknowledging outstanding efforts in the fight against tuberculosis through the recognition of Global TB Elimination Champions. In 2024, amidst the global battle against TB, CDC received 16 submissions from 11 countries, showcasing remarkable achievements in the field of TB and TB/HIV prevention and treatment. Others selected for the awards are from Tanzania, Uganda, Thailand, Vietnam, and Kenya.
Launched on July 1, 2023, the PrTHAM project aims to combat TB transmission among healthcare workers by focusing on early diagnosis and treatment. Under the leadership of Dr. Poonam Varma Shivkumar (Medical Superintendent, Kasturba Hospital in Sevagram), and with the support of esteemed advisors and investigators including Dr Pratibha Narang, Dr BS Garg, Dr AK Shukla, Dr. Vijayshri Kairkar (Deotale), Dr. Jyoti Jain, Dr. Anuj Mundra, Dr. Ruchita Attal, and Mrs. Neeta Shyte, the PrTHAM project has made significant strides in TB prevention.
The dedicated team, comprising healthcare professionals and project staff, has conducted thorough TB infection and disease screening for all healthcare workers at MGIMS and Kasturba Hospital Sevagram. To date, over 1,600 healthcare workers have been tested for latent TB infection using methods such as IGRA (Interferon Gamma Release Assay) and Cy Tb (Skin Test).
Furthermore, the PrTHAM team has provided comprehensive training to more than 1,200 healthcare workers, covering physicians, nurses, students, laboratory technicians, pharmacists, and hospital attendants. Through their efforts, over 1,300 healthcare workers have been screened for TB, leading to the early diagnosis of TB infection in 378 individuals, with 122 of them commencing TB preventive treatment.
“Through dedicated teamwork and commitment, we are shaping a healthier future for all. Together, we stand as beacons of hope in the fight against tuberculosis, striving towards a world free from this disease”, said Dr Poonam Shivkumar.
For their outstanding contributions to TB elimination efforts, we congratulate the 'PrTHAM' Team (Project Coordinator – Dr. Asmita Rannaware) as Global TB Elimination Champions for World TB Day 2024.