Functions of STF

Following functions are expected of the State Task Force

1. Review the performance of Medical Colleges in the State.
2. Organize quarterly STF review meeting to review performance of the NTEP activities in the Medical Colleges of the state and share the minutes of the same with the ZTF/NTF Chair/vice chair.
3. Training of Medical College faculty/ staff, which include Training of the faculty, PGs, intern, paramedical staff, coordinator, etc .
4. Organize CMEs/ Symposiums/ workshops/conferences on NTEP.
5. Ensure that teaching on TB/NTEP as a part of the curriculum for PG students/ Residents / Interns/ UG students.
6. Coordinate with the STO for participation in the quality assurance network of sputum microscopy & NAAT, referral for treatment network, and management of complicated TB cases.
7. Organize capacity-building workshops for Operational Research in the State/UTs.
8. Undertake operational research/ PG thesis for NTEP on the priority areas defined by the STF for the State in consultation with STO. 
9. State OR Chairmen to take the responsibility to approve/sanction the ORs within the budget of Rs 2 lakh and PG Thesis (Rs 30000/thesis); the project over 2 lakh and below 5 lakh will be recommended to ZTF/ZTF OR Committee and approval will be funded from the state.
10. Support State TB Officer in planning and organizing Difficult To Treat TB Clinics (D3C Clinics) fortnightly.
11. STF to facilitate the meeting of Nodal Officers, respective DTO/CTOs / MO Medical Colleges / TBHVs at state HQ (STO Office) / regional HQ (if more number of Medical Colleges are there ) under the guidance of STO/STO representative for an in-depth review of activities of Medical Colleges with support from WHO Consultants at least once in two months ( It is over and above the regular CC meeting). 
12. STF to facilitate the meeting of Deans/Directors/Principal of the colleges with Nodal Officers, respective DTO/CTOs at state HQ under the guidance of Secretary/ DMER/ STO with support from WHO Consultants at least once in 6 months
13. Support STO for preparation of annual PIP of Medical Colleges under NHM.

State STF Committee meetings
The STF will meet quarterly and will discuss various issues related to the implementation of NTEP in the Medical Colleges including approval/ sanction of Operational Research projects/PG thesis as approved by the State OR Committee.
Fund for STF meetings should be provided by the State TB Cell.
The participants of the meeting will be STO and designated staff from STO, STF Chair, STF Vice Chairs, State OR Chairs/vice chairs, nodal officers from each medical college, all WHO Consultants posted in the state, DTO/CTO of the district/Urban unit where medical college is located and special invites like representatives from CTD, National Health Mission, SACS & ZTF& NTF Chair etc

State STF-OR Committee meetings
The STF-OR committee will meet twice a year during routine STF meetings and will discuss and approve Operational Research projects/PG thesis received by the committee. The committee will recommend to STF regarding approval/sanction of Operational Research projects/PG thesis.
Participants would be Members of the OR Committee i.e. nodal officers, faculties from the department of microbiology, Community medicine, Paediatrics etc, and WHO Consultants.

Checklist for quarterly meetings of STF

1. Review of Performance of the Medical Colleges based on the latest available Medical College quarterly report – using STF template  (nodal officer clinical and public health to coordinate with each other to submit individual college information to STF for compilation beforehand) 
2. STF Chair, in consultation with State OR Chair and STO, to facilitate regular state OR Committee meetings happening every 6 monthly 
3. Facilitate organization of CME and other sensitization programmes for Private Practitioners.
4. Discuss issues related to different Medical College.
5. Scrutiny and approve Thesis for PG students.
6. Scrutiny and approve OR projects up to Rupee 2 lakhs and recommend with more budget to ZTF/ NORC. The committee to ensure funding by State TB Officer of the project up to 5 lakhs approved by ZTF 
7. Review the status of any ongoing PG thesis or Operation Research projects in the State.
8. Support STO in ACF and other activities.
9. Any specific issue related to a Medical College that cannot be resolved in Medical College Core Committee.

Responsibilities of STF chairman

The STF chair will-

- be responsible for organizing quarterly STF meetings in consultation of State TB Officer/ WHO Consultants

- prepare the Minutes of Meeting with support from STF coordinator.

- share MOM with ZTF, NTF, CTD and all the participants of the meeting.

- ensure that the funds are released to the Principal Investigators of the OR projects and the Thesis.

- facilitate and ensure a copy of research paper and thesis is submitted to respective DTO/CTO and STO from each medical college
 

Resources

Assessment