Nagaland observes World Tuberculosis Day with statewide programmes and launches TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyan to eliminate TB.
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DIMAPUR — Districts across Nagaland observed World Tuberculosis Day and launched the 100-day “TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyan” on Tuesday.
Kohima: Minister for Health and Family Welfare P Paiwang Konyak formally launched the 100-day campaign in the presence of the additional secretary, Health and Family Welfare; the principal director, Health and Family Welfare; and other senior officials of the department at the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare in Kohima.
According to a DIPR report, while flagging off the Ni-Kshay Vahaan for community outreach, the minister, in his address, extended his best wishes to all health professionals for the successful implementation of the campaign aimed at the elimination of tuberculosis through intensified, targeted and technology-driven interventions across the state.
The Principal Director, Dr. Mereninla Senlem, elaborated on the objectives of the campaign, emphasising the need to identify all missing cases through proactive screening of vulnerable populations; to prevent and reduce tuberculosis-related mortality through a personalised and patient-centric approach; to strengthen differentiated TB care along with nutritional support; and to prevent new cases by ensuring systematic screening and provision of TB preventive treatment.
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The District Tuberculosis Elimination Programme, Kohima, and NHM Nagaland observed the day at the DC Conference Hall, Kohima, on the theme “Yes! We can end TB; led by Bharat, powered by janbhagidari”.
The highlight of the event was the felicitation of TB-free villages under the TB Mukt Panchayat Initiative, which aims to create healthy competition and recognise the efforts of village councils in eliminating TB. Following verification by the district team, certificates with one-year validity are awarded annually on World TB Day.
On the occasion, the awardees were also presented with certificates and Mahatma Gandhi statues: bronze for first-year achievers, silver for two consecutive years, and gold for three years of sustained TB-free status.
For 2025, a total of 22 villages in Kohima were honoured, including one gold, four silver, and 17 bronze awardees. The gold was awarded to SeiyhaPhesa Village.
Deputy Commissioner and chairman, District TB Forum, Kohima, B Henok Buchem, in his address encouraged continued commitment towards achieving TB-free status across villages.
Sharing a personal reflection, he said that during his study of English literature, he came across works of renowned poets and novelists such as John Keats and George Orwell, many of whom succumbed to tuberculosis at a young age. He remarked that TB has claimed an estimated one billion lives globally, making it one of the deadliest diseases in history.
Further, a joint awareness programme was organised at RHFPC-FPAI, Daklane, by the Family Planning Association of India, ARK Foundation and KNP+ to raise awareness on tuberculosis and strengthen community engagement in TB prevention and care.
The keynote address was delivered by Ketho Angami, President of the ARK Foundation, who spoke on the importance of early diagnosis, treatment adherence, and reducing stigma associated with TB.
Wokha: World TB Day was also observed at the DC’s Conference Hall, Wokha. The programme was organised by the National TB Elimination Programme, District TB Centre Wokha.
DC Wokha Vineet Kumar, who attended the programme as the special guest, in his address acknowledged and appreciated the achievers in different categories, such as gold, silver and bronze, and encouraged them to strive for greater accomplishments.
Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Wokha, Dr. Mhonchan Kithan, highlighted the significance of World TB Day, while Chief Medical Officer Wokha, Dr. Thungchanbemo Ezung, delivered the welcome address.
During the programme, 37 achievers were felicitated, including two gold achievers from Mekirang and Okhaeyan villages, eight silver achievers, and 27 bronze achievers. The district showed improvement compared to last year, when 34 villages were recognised.
The event also marked the launch of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan by Kumar.
Tuensang: World TB Day-cum-launching of the 100-Day TB campaign was held at the District TB Centre, Tuensang.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Tuensang, Dr. Imlitemsu pointed out that TB is one of the worst among bacterial diseases due to its highly infectious nature. He also presented the statistics for 2023 data. In the global scenario, the positive cases for TB were 134 per one lakh people. While India stood at 195 per lakh, making India a one-fourth contributor in the global scenario.
The 2024 data for Nagaland also showed an alarming statistic with 196 per lakh cases. He noted that TB cases are most prevalent in developing countries like India, where high population and poor nutrition are some of the major reasons for higher susceptibility to the disease.
He also warned about the misuse of common antibiotic drugs. Lastly, he encouraged all to follow three simple steps to eliminate TB by self-educating on TB, disseminating the knowledge to family and friends, and offering help to TB patients through the Ni-Kshay Mitra app.
Presentation of TB Mukt Panchayat awards was handed over by the CMO of Tuensang to nine villages: Chingmei, Longdang, Kiding, New Tsadang, Old Chungliyimti, Sipongsang, Sangchen, Helipong, and Kephore.
Phek: The day was observed in Phek at the DC’s Conference Hall.
Rhosietho Nguori, DC of Phek, in his address encouraged the awardee villages to encourage other villages to strive for TB Mukt Panchayat. He also assured assistance and support during the 100 days TB campaign.
District TB Officer Dr. Ebenezer Phesao, in his keynote address, said the day is observed every year to renew commitment to achieving the goal to eliminate TB. He said TB is one of the oldest diseases but is preventable and curable.
He shared that Phek has accomplished a remarkable achievement with 15 TB Mukt Panchayat villages achieving gold, eight villages with silver and three villages with bronze.
Mon: The District Tuberculosis Centre, Mon, observed World TB Day at the Conference Hall of the DC’s Office, Mon.
The programme was attended by Pakon Phom, ADC Mon, as the special guest, along with officials from the Health department, community leaders and volunteers.
Certificates were awarded to Lampong Wakching, Laokhun and Shangsa, Goching, Apao Chang, and Changlo.
Speaking on the occasion, District Tuberculosis Officer Dr. Ngopelo Keviechu spoke on the three key pillars aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of India: patient-centric and holistic care, strong policy support ensuring universal health coverage, and continued research and innovation.
In his address, ADC Mon urged village councils and community leaders to take ownership of the mission and work towards making more villages TB-free. Highlighting that Mon district has over 120 villages, he expressed hope that many more would achieve TB Mukt status in the coming year.
Zunheboto: The District Health Society, Zunheboto, observed the day at the office of the CMO. The event was attended by Dharam Raj, DC of Zunheboto, as the special guest, along with district health officials and staff.
As part of the programme, awards were distributed to TB-free villages in recognition of their efforts. Pughoboto and Shichimi villages were awarded silver trophies and certificates, while Asukhuto, Lumithsami and Shotomi villages received bronze trophies along with certificates.
In his address, Raj spoke about the history of tuberculosis and highlighted the Government of India’s commitment to eliminating TB by 2030.
Longleng: The District Health Society, Longleng, observed World TB Day at the VCC and VDB Association Complex, Longleng.
The programme was attended by DC Longleng W Manpai Phom as the special guest.
Dr. Temsusashi, District Tuberculosis Officer, spoke on the significance of the day and elaborated on the theme.
The DCr, in his address, presented the national scenario of tuberculosis, including statistics and mortality associated with the disease. He further stressed the need to eliminate stigma associated with tuberculosis and underscored the importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment to ensure a TB-free district.
Mokokchung: World TB Day and the launching of the 100-day TB campaign were held at the CMO Conference Hall, Mokokchung.
Speaking on the occasion, Chubamongla, EAC, Chuchuyimlang, said, “We celebrate TB day as a reminder to everyone to renew our commitment and spread the awareness of TB.”
District Tuberculosis Officer Dr. R Toshimenla Jamir, in her keynote address, stated that as World TB Day 2026 is observed, it is vital to increase collective efforts to fight this disease through education, early detection and access to treatment.
The presentation of certificates and awards to TB Mukt Panchayat was done by Chubamongla to three villages: Mekuli, silver; Kelingmen, bronze; and Moalenden, bronze.