The RNTC programs are now being administered by DOT providers at the village & PHC levels & not by us. Our involvement presently is only as a “Microscopy” center.

However, in 2008 we plan to re- negotiate with the District National TB (RNTCP) unit for a treatment Unit as well. Seriously ill TB patients are admitted & life- supporting equipment & drugs are available with us.

The AERAS Program of the Institute of Population Health & Clinical Research
In the wake of the dismantling of the NLEP vertical program, when a lot of our para-medical staff were retrenched with a compensation, Dr.Mario Vaz ,our present Chairman, & Dr.Anura Kurpad (Dean) of the Institute of Population Health & Clinical Research – St John’s National Academy of Medical Health Sciences, worked exceedingly hard to win us the Global TB Vaccine Program of the AERAS Foundation.

Tuberculosis is a silent killer and with the preponderance of HIV – AIDS, WHO has declared TB a global emergency. The RNTC & NTC programs are being administered both at the hospital and at the field levels. With the help of one senior staff, DOT providers are identified and the programs implemented resulted with a “cure-rate” of over 90.6%.

The Emmaus Hospital project through its network of paramedical staff and doctors identify as many cases as possible by sputum examinations and X-rays. Seriously ill TB patients are admitted and life - supporting equipment and drugs are made available. The treatment is provided free of cost and hospitalization is supported through the ‘flower-system” of our resources and not with the government’s help. We have also now instituted the SET (Survey-Education-Treatment) system through the net work of Para medical Staff. Each month more than 30 new cases are detected.

Treatment at the door-step for all tuberculosis patients was conceived and initiated in 1986 by Dr.Mario Vaz, who became a Medical Officer at Emmaus Hospital.

Treatment at the door-step for all tuberculosis patients was conceived and initiated in 1986 by Dr.Mario Vaz, who became a Medical Officer at Emmaus Hospital. Today,(Left) Dr.Mario Vaz is the Chairman of the board at Palamaner and a dedicated research professor of physiology at St.John’s Medical College. He is also the Head & Chief investigator of several research projects at the Institute of Population Health and Clinical Research - SJMC Bangalore, offering door-to-door services for the treatment of tuberculosis

In 1988, we proved the efficacy of an Integrated Health Service in the Epidemiology of leprosy”