Dimapur, March 24 (EMN): As part of TB Mukt Bharat (TB-free India) campaign to eradicate tuberculosis (TB) by 2025 in India, districts across Nagaland observed the ‘World TB Day’ on March 24 on the theme ‘Invest to end TB, saves lives.’
The event was observed with the objective to generate awareness and mobilise political and social commitment for progress towards eliminating TB as a public health burden.
NTEP: State TB Cell under National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) observed the ‘World TB Day’ at the NBCC Platinum Hall.
Presenting an overview on NTEP, the state TB officer, Dr. Tiasunup Pongener, informed that there are 11 district TB centres, 13 TB units and 52 TB treatment centres, two nodal DRTB centres, five district DRTB centres in the state. He added that investigation and treatment of TB are provided free of cost in all the government health facilities.
Mezhiilhoubeilie Sorhie, TB Champion, shared her success story, while the assistant programme officer, Dr. Apichetla Amer, spoke on the theme.
Ketho Angami, president of ARK Foundation, spoke on stigma and discrimination among TB patients. While pointing out that anyone could be infected with TB disease, he urged the gathering to break the level of stigma, sensitise among one another and educate the people about TB.
Short speeches were also delivered by representatives from NBCC and the NHM mission director, Dr. Thorhusie Katiry.
Kohima: Office of the chief medical officer (CMO) along with District Health Society, Kohima, observed the ‘World TB Day’ at Kezocha CHC under Jakhama block.
Delivering the keynote address, CMO Dr. Vezokholu Theyo stated that nearly one and half million deaths occurred globally every year despite the availability of effective treatment and added that tuberculosis remained a curse to humanity causing vast socio economic loss mostly in developing countries.
She, therefore, stated that community participation was important to break through the barriers.
Dr. Akaba Jamir, DTO, informed about the benefits of DOTS and MDR TB as it could prevent the spread of tuberculosis and reduce the incidence and prevalence. He urged the public to join hands in preventing TB disease and encouraged the villagers to spread awareness about the disease and also sought change of mindset to remove stigma and discrimination.
Mhasiekhoto, TB Champion, has shared about the treatment journey under DOTS programme and support given by District TB Control Society.
Dimapur: Dimapur district under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) observed the ‘World TB Day’ in the conference hall of the additional deputy commissioner (ADC) in Niuland town.
Presenting the case scenario of Dimapur district, Dr. Benchilo Ngullie, DTO Dimapur, has attributed stigma as the main obstacle in eliminating TB from the society. She called upon the public to change their mindset and consider TB as just another treatable communicable disease. She further sensitised the participants on the various services available in the district for quality diagnosis and treatment which are given free of cost by the government.
Also speaking on the occasion, the deputy commissioner of Niuland, Ajit Kumar Verma, exhorted the participants to be part of TB Mukt by investing their time in TB elimination activities. He also urged upon the community to show concern towards TB patients to achieve its mission.
Monica, a TB champion, shared her experiences on her treatment journey and the love and support she received from her family while fighting TB.
Certificates of appreciation were also awarded to four staff under NTEP Dimapur and concluded with a pledge to support the goal of TB elimination.
Mon: Mon district observed the ‘World TB Day’ in the conference hall of District Hospital Mon, in which the district TB officer, Dr. Tinenlo James Katiwa, has briefed on how the disease was neglected during the pandemic and urged to invest time, energy and resources to eliminate TB.
On the occasion, prizes to the winners of the essay writing, drawing and slogan competitions were given away by the deputy commissioner of Mon, Thavaseelan K, which was held on March 12 to commemorate the day. It stated that Temnyei M Konyak from Police Unit School, Mon, and winner of the essay writing competition was given a chance to read his essay on TB.
Speaking on the occasion, the DC has described the ‘World TB Day’ as one of the most significant events in the district as Mon has the highest cases of TB among other districts in Nagaland. He also informed about the app, which was a small effort but a tool to combat the disease using technology.
Wokha: Wokha district observed the ‘World Tuberculosis Day’ at Wokha village community hall.
Dr. Akum Jamir, district TB officer, spoke on the significance of the day and the vision to achieve TB-free India by 2030 as per sustainable development goals. He informed that testing of TB by CBNAAT is being offered through the NTEP for achieving the goal.
Certificates of appreciation were presented to NTEP staff by Dr. Tumchobeni, chief medical officer of Wokha, while short speeches were delivered by Chonpenthung Ezung, SDO Civil Wokha, and Sulanthung Ngullie, a cured TB patient.
Longleng: Longleng district observed the ‘World TB Day’ in the conference hall of the deputy commissioner’s office.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Temsusashi, district tuberculosis officer, stated that the theme for this year was chosen to convey the urgent need to invest resources in order to ramp up the fight against TB and save lives.
Talk on TB was given by Tongang Phom, STS (NTEP), while the EAC Pichano Kikon and Dr. Kibang, medical superintendent, also spoke in the programme.
During the function, H Yingon Phom, ASHA, was felicitated with a commendation certificate and cash award in recognition of her outstanding support to NTEP activities in the district.
Kiphire: NTEP Kiphire commemorated the ‘World TB Day’ at Longmatra council hall with the additional superintendent of police, Thsurhosie Kajiri, as the speaker.
Speaking at the programme, Kajiri stated that TB Day is observed to raise and disseminate public awareness about the dreaded disease. Stating that TB is a curable disease, Kajiri has emphasised on early detection and treatment to cure TB.
Kajiri also urged upon everyone to cooperate and invest time and energy to ramp up the fight against TB.
Dr. John Nyuthe, district tuberculosis officer, informed that constant cough, feeling feverish, night sweats, and appetite loss were some symptoms of tuberculosis. Stating that TB treatment is available in the district free of cost, he called upon every individual to play their part in the fight to end TB by 2025.
Mokokchung: Mokokchung observed the ‘World TB Day’ at PHC Tsurangkong, in which the district TB officer, Dr. L Tiameren Imchen, spoke on the significance of the theme and stressed on urgent need to invest resources in the fight to eradicate tuberculosis.
Also speaking on the occasion, Dr. Medem, retired additional director of SMO DR-TB Centre, Mokokchung, stated that the day is observed to raise public awareness about the devastating consequences of TB on health, social and economic and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic.
Short speech was also delivered by Atsüngba Walling, border magistrate of Tsurangkong.
Zunheboto: National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) and District Tuberculosis Centre (DTC) commemorated the ‘World TB Day’ in the office of the chief medical officer (CMO) of Zunheboto.
Delivering the keynote address, the district TB officer Dr. Y Aron Sema informed that the day is observed to raise awareness about the social, personal health and economic devastation caused due to TB over the years. He also reminded the campaign undertaken by the government of India to eradicate TB by 2025.
The guest speaker and deputy CMO of Zunheboto, Dr. K Akaho Sema, has emphasised that awareness should be firstly created among the healthcare workers as people often failed to realise the importance of the programme. He stated that TB is considered as one of the world’s deadliest diseases, which is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries like India.
He added that TB is the most common opportunistic infection in HIV patients and a leading cause of death. He further urged the healthcare workers to intensify active case findings at all levels and health units.
Phek: Phek unit of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) observed the ‘World TB Day’ at Dr. Wethselo Memorial Hall of the District Hospital Phek with Dr. Khriezotuo Paphino, chief medical officer, as the main speaker.
Dr. Paphino has highlighted the various activities conducted under NTEP such as conducting active case findings by ASHA in all the villages. He shared that the BCG vaccine against TB given to the children had saved thousands of lives.
He further urged the healthcare workers and NGOs to spread the correct message to ensure that TB patients are completely cured.
Vesupra Kezo, superintendent of police, exuded confidence that TB could be eliminated by 2025 with the resources and policies provided by the government of India. He added that TB patients could be cured and stopped from further spread to other persons if they follow protocols of the doctors.
The other highlights of the programme included special presentation by a music teacher Zito Nyekha, felicitation of TB champions and winners of the wall painting competition and pledge signing by all the participants.
Tuensang: Tuensang district observed the ‘World TB Day’ at the office of the chief medical officer (CMO) in which the significance of the day was delivered by DTO in-charge of Tuensang, Dr. Nongosol.
Stating that TB is curable and medicines are provided free of cost to the patients, Dr. Nongosol, urged the community to disseminate awareness on TB.
Short speeches were delivered by EAC Tuensang, Athonbeni, and DSP (DEF) Tuensang, Punglang Chang. TB champion, Hothrong, shared his testimony.
NEISSR: North East Institute of Social Sciences and Research (NEISSR) observed ‘World Tuberculosis Day’ during the morning Sarvodaya session in which a student of community development specialisation, Kivitoli Achumi, spoke on the urgent need to invest resources as well as seek the support of global leaders in the fight against the deathly disease.
Kivitoli informed that nearly 4000 lost their lives to TB and close to 28,000 people fall ill everyday with the preventable and curable disease. She added that tuberculosis is the 13th leading cause of death and the second leading infectious killer after Covid-19.