The U.S. Agency for International Development recently granted three new awards to India as its government strives to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) from the nation.
The funds, which amount to $21 million, are to be used to address and treat the disease within India. World Health Partners for the Tuberculosis Health Action Learning Initiative will receive $7.5 million. Another $7.5 million was sent to Karnataka Health Promotion Trust for its projects in Hyderabad, Bangalore and Pune.
Health care workers in India will use the funds to test, prevent and treat the disease, particularly in areas that have slum dwellers and similar low-income groups.
The remaining $6 million was given to Resource Group for Education and Advocacy for Community Health. The goal is to continue the momentum that the Call to Action for a TB-free India campaign has created.
“We have made great strides toward ending TB in India, but much more work remains,” Richard Verma, the U.S. ambassador to India, said. “Partnerships, technology and innovations are essential tools to find low-cost, sustainable solutions to address public health challenges, including TB. These projects will help catalyze solutions and best practices for the successful diagnosis and treatment of TB in hard to reach populations. Together we can achieve a TB-free India.”
