ASSESSING THE REVISED NATIONAL TUBERCULOSIS CONTROL PROGRAMME (RNTCP) AT GRASS ROOT LEVEL: A PUBLIC SURVEY

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Tuberculosis (TB) as a 'Global Emergency' due to an increasing number of TB cases in the developing countries and India is no exception to the trend rather India is the highest TB burdened country in the World. Alone, it accounts for one fifth of the global incidence and for this reason even today, TB as disease continues to be one of the major public health problem in the country and for the same reason intensified efforts are required to reduce TB transmission and to check & control the incidence of the disease particularly in the rural areas. Nation is committed to tame this dreaded disease. Achieving Universal access is impossible without the awareness & deep involvement of the Public. It is of significance to examine the aspects like personal knowledge, attitudes of the public and aspects related with operation & success of the RNTCP. The present study assesses the public perception about the operation of RNTCP in Faridkot District of Punjab.