NGO calls out RNTCP for ‘eyewash’ tuberculosis report

Dimapur, March 25 (EMN): A leading nongovernmental organisation has listed a number of criticisms concerning implementation of tuberculosis programmes in Nagaland. The ARK Foundation issued a press release on Monday calling out the authorities for ‘eyewash reports,’ besides questioning the state’s RNTCP about what the NGO called ‘a lapse of DBT for the nutritional support for the beneficiaries.’
It stated ‘some critical finding’ and key concerns relating to the tuberculosis program in the state. It has asked the Revised National TB Control Program (RNTCP) to analyse and ‘adopt.’

‘On the recent world TB day conducted by the RNTCP at Rivenburgs Chapel hall, Kohima, and following its press release, ARK Foundation has termed the report as “eyewash” to convince the public since the RNTCP needs to put greater effort to test and treat LTBI,’ the organisation stated.

“As of now, the only way to do so was only through the CTD’s initiatives, which provides INH based IPT to few selective risk populations, and that the drug has in the past faced stock outs many a times, and is also not being provided as a regular and complete package since Pyridoxine Vitamin B6 is missing.”

‘Yet, it is still not been provided even to the PLHIVs, by the government. To this, ARK Foundation advises the RNTCP to make V B6 available and to ensure that such stock outs (sic) do not happen again, by coordinating with NSACS (Nagaland State AIDS Control Society), and to also advocate with the CTD for the other newer prevention therapy with Rifapentine as 3HP.’

Further, the press release opined on the nutritional aspects during TB treatments.
‘It is evident that the beneficiaries are not getting the direct bank monetary transfer through NIKSHAY. During the course of the treatment, it is of great importance to have access to nutritional supports and therefore getting such a benefit after the treatment does not help much,’ the group stated.

ARK Foundation has questioned the state’s RNTCP ‘as to why there has been a lapse of DBT for the nutritional support for the beneficiaries.’

Further, the organisation expressed ‘concerns to conduct massive TB awareness campaigns across the state by taking advantage of the existing NGOs working in AIDS control programs, and not just conduct such a campaign on a “once a year basis” by observing world TB day alone.’

“In this resource constraint settings, it is important to make use of the existing health machineries,” the press release added. It suggested partnering with “AIDS NGOs” which will also ‘in turn help to enhance the coordination of TB correlation with HIV in the state.’

Districts mark World TB Day with advocacy
Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) units and district health agencies across Nagaland observed World TB Day on March 24 with various programmes hosting health education, safety and treatment advocacy concerning tuberculosis. Health units from various districts issued separate press releases on Monday offering updates about the programmes.

Phek
The RNTCP unit for Phek district organised a programme to observe World TB Day on March 24, in upper Khomi village. The slogan for this year’s World TB Day is ‘It’s Time.’

Dr. Ruokuohelie Rutsa, the district tuberculosis officer of the district addressed the event, updates from the health establishment informed on Monday.

In his address, Rutsa gave a brief presentation about the “present scenario and burden” of tuberculosis in India particularly in Phek district.

The medical officer urged the community leaders to step forward and in identifying the ailment, and help ‘clear hurdles’ and supervise the treatment of tuberculosis. This is to eradicate the diseases from the society, he said.

The officer was stated to have emphasised on the importance of “removing” stigma and discrimination associated with certain diseases particularly tuberculosis, the updates stated. Further, there was a “good interaction session” with the participants, the updates informed. Many ‘queries and doubts’ concerning the disease was clarified by the health officials and staffs. The program was attended by around

About 250 participants comprising members of village council, and teachers, youths and students; and community members working in different capacities attended the event, the press release stated.

Kiphire
The district health society of Kiphire district observed World TB Day with community leaders and members of tribal councils, at the community health centre of Pungro on the 24th.

A press release from the district’s medical establishment that was received here on Monday stated that the extra assistant commissioner of Pungro, Wiridin (no surname given), was the ‘special guest’ of the event.

The officer was said to have spoken about the significance of World TB Day. He expressed appreciation for the personnel of the medical department for their ‘sincere effort to curb the TB menace.’ Comparing the medical personnel and workers to missionaries, he urged them to be ‘more sincere and punctual’ when performing their duties, the updates stated.

The district tuberculosis officer Dr. Hedungkiebe, no surname given, also addressed the event. He spoke on the theme of the programme. It’s time to ‘provide public awareness, end stigma and discrimination and to act,’ he said. He highlighted the burden the disease has on the district and in the other parts of the world.

The government is not the sole provider of health care services but a facilitator, he said. The officer requested the members of the public to ‘alleviate the health burden through active participation,’ the press release stated.

“The most emotional part of the program was a living testimony of a TB champion (sic), Mr. Ahoshe who conquered the dreaded disease despite of many personal difficulties faced by him,” the press release explained.

Tuensang
Tuensang too observed World TB day, at Noklak community health centre, on March 24. A press release from the district’s heath establishment on Monday informed that district TB officer Dr. Kiholi, no surname given, spoke about the significance of the day and the various government initiatives there are to eradicate the disease by 2025.
Also, the officer said that as Noklak block is being targeted to be a ‘TB free block,’ its staff will be undertaking ‘intensified awareness and screening’ activities in every village in the block in the next few months, the updates added.

Mokokchung
(From our correspondent)
The RNTCP of Mokokchung observed World TB Day at the Tuli Town Baptist Church, with the slogan, “It’s time for action to end TB.” A programme marking the event was conducted on March 24 with Tuli’s additional deputy commissioner Imsongmeren, no surname given, as the event’s ‘special invitee.’

Addressing the gathering, Dr. M. Imyangluba Ao, district TB officer, said that the day is observed annually to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis. It is observed with an aim to stop the stigma and discrimination faced by people affected with the disease, he said.The officer said that the district has five ‘DMC’ from where an individual can get health check up. He said that the government has launched programmes to ‘look after the patients for financial and nutritional support of the TB patient and their families.’

“TB is not a disease that only visits the poor and the downtrodden but it can also affect the rich and the influential as it is an airborne disease, and for which we have to be aware to prevent it,” he said.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Chubala Aier also addressed the gathering. In a short speech, she thanked the church leaders for giving the medical team the opportunity to use the church’s platform to educate the people about tuberculosis.

Aier appealed to the community, health-care providers, and partner agencies to work together to eradicate the disease. They can do so by assisting and coordinating with one another, she said.

ADC Imsongmeren also addressed the event. He said that the disease thrives mainly among marginalised people and groups such as migrants, refugees, ethnic minorities; and the elderly, marginalised women and children. The officer appealed to the people to work toward achieving the goal of preventing and eradicating tuberculosis from Tuli. They can do so by coordination with the civil society, administration and medical department, he said.