     Tuberculosis is one of the world's most contagious and deadly diseases. Approximately one-third of the world's population has been exposed to TB. Once exposed, these individuals carry a latent infection that can later develop into active TB. Each year there are nearly 9 million new cases of active TB and close to 2 million deaths from TB or related complications. The majority of afflictions are among individuals between 15 and 59 years, thereby depriving families and communities of their most productive members.

     The vast majority of infections occur in the developing world, placing an especially heavy burden on the world's poorest communities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India suffers from more new cases of TB annually than any other country. More than 1.8 million developed active TB in India in 2004, accounting for approximately 20% of worldwide infections that year. The total number of new and existing cases of active TB in India in 2004 was 3.4 million, or 312 out every 100,000 people. This rate is significantly higher than the global average of around 245.

     The good news is that TB is easily treatable and it is usually curable.

Why Prajnopaya? What can Prajnopaya do better than other healthcare organizations?

     Two of Prajnopaya’s strengths are ingenuity and speed. Unencumbered by an expensive bureaucracy, the Foundation quickly distributes all its donations to where they are needed. The Foundation’s staff has been adept in forging partnerships with helpful institutions, in mobilizing volunteer health care providers and other dedicated individuals, and in figuring out ways to obtain needed medicines at discounted rates.

     In the case of the TB Clinic, Prajnopaya chooses to concentrate on Bihar - a state that has been largely neglected by government agencies and health care organizations. It is a very poor, very densely populated region that has a high incidence of TB and virtually no available treatment. The Foundation looks for this kind of opportunity in which its limited resources can be fully maximized – where a small amount of money goes a very long way.

     Why have previous efforts failed? Communication problems, insensitivity to gender issues, as well as local political instability and corruption have undermined prior attempts. Healthcare workers brought in by the Indian Government were typically not from the region and didn’t speak the local dialects. Additionally, there weren’t women healthcare workers to treat local women. (Many women would not - and will not - go to a male care giver.) The Prajnopaya Foundation is not dependent on Government channels; instead, our infrastructure uses local volunteer health professionals – both men and women - to identify, diagnose, educate and treat patients and their families.

How Prajnopaya’s TB Project Works – A Brief Overview

     Our TB Project focuses on both prevention and treatment. TB is an highly contagious airborne bacillus. Families are usually unaware of how this disease spreads – by a simple cough – and that all family members become vulnerable when one person is infected. Therefore, education on the nature of the disease and how to care for a sick individual at home is a crucial part of our program.

     Treatment is a multi-step process that begins with screening and diagnostic tests (including x-ray, blood, and sputum), followed by an eight-month course of antibiotics supervised by care givers. Periodic follow-up visits to gauge progress and fine tune treatment are an essential part of our program.

In Summary, we will:

a. reach untouched populations;
b. identify and diagnose symptoms;
c. quarantine or selectively isolate sick patients;
d. begin a multi-step course of treatment;
e. protect the elderly and infants through family education; and,
f. train local people in these techniques to create a sustainable local program.

     Prajnopaya’s TB treatment is offered to anyone afflicted with TB, regardless of age, class, caste, or religion. Please contact us with questions or for more detailed information.

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