Campaign a mission of hope, health and empowerment—Minister
Paiwang Konyak
KOHIMA — As part of India’s target to eliminate
TB by 2025, which is five years ahead of the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) deadline of 2030, Nagaland joined the rest of the
nation in launching the 100-Day Intensified Campaign on TB Elimination
(Ni-Kshay Shivir).
The campaign was launched by Minister for Health and Family
Welfare, P Paiwang Konyak, at Seikhazou ‘D’ Khel ground, Kohima village, on
Saturday. The minister also administered the TB-free pledge to the participants.
In his address, Konyak said that the campaign is not just a
programme but a mission of hope, health, and empowerment. He said tuberculosis
has been a long-standing public health challenge, affecting countless lives,
particularly the most vulnerable ones in the society.
Maintaining that TB robs individuals of their health,
productivity, and dreams, the minister stressed the need to end the deadly
disease by implementing bold, community-driven, and patient-centric solutions.
Konyak informed that the 100-day intensified campaign will
cover 347 selected high-priority districts across 33 states/UTs, involving a
comprehensive strategy to mobilise resources, raise awareness through visual
and print media, and intensify actions against TB.
In Nagaland, the campaign districts include Kohima, Mon, and
Wokha, he said.
He asserted that in the next 100 days, initiatives like
Active Case Finding (ACF) by reaching the unreached, identifying and diagnosing
TB cases early, particularly in high-risk and underserved populations, with
strengthened treatment support, innovative tools, linkage to nutritional care,
and community participation would be taken.
“This campaign is a clarion call for people’s participation
as it recognises that only with the combined efforts of government agencies,
healthcare providers, non-profit organisations, private players, and, most
importantly, the communities we serve, can we eradicate TB,” the minister said.
Konyak urged the people to pledge their unwavering support
to the cause and reaffirm their commitment to the vision for a healthier and
TB-free India.
Advisor for School Education and SCERT, Dr. Kekhrielhoulie
Yhome, who also addressed the campaign launch, highlighted the efforts made by
the government over the years to eradicate the disease but admitted that not
much has been achieved.
Dr. Tseilhoutuo Rhutso, MLA, emphasised that eradicating TB
needs the support of the public, and everyone should play an active part.
Rhutso also encouraged the people to invest in the nutrition of the underprivileged
and those suffering from TB.
On the occasion, Nikshay Mitras and TB Champions were
felicitated and food baskets distributed.
Dr. Akuo Sorhie, Mission Director, National Health Mission,
Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, informed that the campaign will
continue till March 2025, and during this period, campaigns, community
mobilisation, mass screening, testing, treatment, and follow-ups will be done,
among various other activities.
She also said that the battle against TB is far from over as
it continues to remain a threat to the country, state, society, and the
community.
Calling for political support and leadership, she also urged
for active participation of various organisations, departments, all
stakeholders, civil societies, village councils, NGOs, faith-based
organisations and individuals to positively impact lives in the race towards
elimination of TB in the nation and the state.
