Kohima district reviews immunisation, child health, HIV/AIDS awareness and TB elimination efforts, with focus on coordination, volunteer support and TB patient adoption.
DIMAPUR — The District Task Force for Immunisation (DTFI) and District Level TB Mukt Bharat Committee meetings were held at the DC’s office, Kohima, on September 9 to review the progress of immunisation, child health, HIV/AIDS awareness and tuberculosis (TB) control activities in the district.
The meetings, chaired by Deputy Commissioner B Henok Buchem, also discussed strengthening coordination among stakeholder departments and community-level functionaries, a DIPR report stated.
During the DTFI meeting, DPO-RMCAH+ Kohima, Dr. Khrievilhou Nakhro, updated members on immunisation activities and appreciated the support extended by teachers, school staff and Anganwadi workers in facilitating vaccination programmes.
He informed that awareness programmes had been conducted in schools, with vaccinations administered with the consent of parents and teachers.
The meeting also discussed collaboration with the National Cadet Corps (NCC), which sought support from stakeholder departments for conducting immunisation-related activities during NCC camps.
An update on the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) was also presented, covering its key focus areas, manpower, implementation mechanism and cases referred for further treatment. Regarding schools proposed to be covered under the programme, the deputy commissioner directed the RBSK team to coordinate with the district education officer (DEO), Kohima, for necessary facilitation.
On child mortality, Dr. Avonu Sophie presented two child death cases involving congenital heart disease and septicaemia leading to septic shock.
The presentation provided an opportunity to review the circumstances and clinical factors associated with the cases.
Sentimongla Tsudir presented an update on DISHA, focusing on HIV/AIDS awareness and mobilisation activities under the Intensified IEC Campaign 2026.
She informed that 21 villages had been identified for awareness meetings and door-to-door visits, while 70 schools had also been identified for awareness activities in Kohima.
Meanwhile, the District Level TB Mukt Bharat Committee reviewed ongoing efforts towards TB elimination in the district.
District TB Officer Dr. Chibenthung Kithan informed members that guidelines on TB elimination had been issued during the Pragati meeting and briefed them on the constitution of the District TB Mukt Bharat Committee.
He informed that an officer, particularly the block development officer (BDO), had been designated in the blocks of Kohima district to facilitate coordination of TB-related activities.
He also proposed forming volunteer teams in collaboration with NCC and MY Bharat Kohima.
Members suggested that volunteers be provided certification and orientation programmes, along with technical knowledge and proper guidance, to enable them to effectively support TB-related activities.
The meeting also discussed the need for a joint account for TB Mukt Bharat, the operation of which would require approval from the deputy commissioner.
Buchem suggested that the district TB officer provide a QR code for the joint account and circulate it widely to facilitate contributions.
On the adoption of TB patients, Dr. Chibenthung informed that 342 TB patients were currently registered in Kohima, of whom around 100 had received donor support so far.
He further informed that AI-enabled X-ray machines provided by the Centre had strengthened TB detection and screening.
However, he pointed out that the inadequate availability of trained technicians remained a challenge in fully utilising the machines.