Nagaland: ‘Invest to End TB. Save Lives’

Kohima, March 25 (MExN): The National TB Elimination Programme State TB Cell, Nagaland observed the World TB Day under the theme ‘Invest to End TB. Save Lives’ at the NBCC Platinum Hall on March 24.

“We are here to make an appeal to all your support and commitment to spread awareness about the disease and help us in the fight against eliminating TB. Churches and faith based organisation can be very effective platform to disseminate information about the disease,” Dr Tiasunup Pongener, State TB Officer (NTEP) stated while addressing the programme.

Presenting an overview on NTEP, Dr Tiasunup stressed that during the commemoration of Nagaland’s Statehood Day on December 1, 2002, the Revised National TB Control Program (RNTCP) was launched in the erstwhile eight districts of Nagaland. Later on, it was expanded to the remaining three districts of Peren, Longleng and Kiphire. As of today, there are 11 districts TB Centre, 13 TB Units and 52 TB Treatment Centres, two Nodal DRTB Centre, five District DRTB Centres in the state. Investigation and treatment of TB is free of cost in all the Government Health facilities.

“World Health Organisation has set a target of TB Elimination by 2030 as part of SDG Goal but our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisaged to eliminate TB from India by 2025 five years ahead of SDG goal,” Dr Tiasunup said.

Inorder to achieve this, the GOI has initiated various activities such as Active Case Finding, Latient TB Infection strategy, Nikshay Poshan Yojana, TB Free campaign, Private Sector Engagement, Multisectoral involvement of line department. Under the Private Public Mix (PPM) activities participation of 148 private Health Facilities & Chemists and 6 Service Providers (NGOs) with whom MOU has been signed under different schemes.

Speaking on the theme, Dr Apichetla Amer, Assistant Programme Office said that ‘Invest to End TB. Save Lives’ is a reminder to all the world leaders that there is only limited time to End TB Elimination efforts. The care for investing to end TB is first and foremost financial, yet the investment of hard work, determination, emotion and energy as essential as the monetary assets needed to end this preventable and curable disease. “It is about putting all these investments into a common goal “Saving Lives”. This year we count on all of you present here today to join us in the fight against TB and the effort to end TB,” she urged.

Ketho Angami, ARK Foundation spoke on stigma and discrimination among TB Patients. “Anyone can be infected with TB disease therefore we should break the level of stigma, sensitize among one another and educate the people about TB,” he said.

Dr Thorhusie Katiry, Mission Director (NHM) requested the stakeholders and media to “spread awareness on TB, so that with the effort of everyone and if we have work and have faith will be eliminating TB by 2025.” He encouraged the gathering to take personal responsibility in spreading the message about this disease which will eventually contribute in eliminating this Disease hopefully by 2025 as envisaged by the GOI.

Mezhiilhoubeilie Sorhie, TB Champion shared her success story and Temjenochetla Ao, PPM Coordinator delivered vote of thanks.

Jakhama: Office of the Chief Medical Officer along with District Health Society, Kohima, Department of Health & Family Welfare, NHM observed World TB Day at Kezocha CHC under Jakhama block. Chief Medical Officer, Dr Vezokholu Theyo in her address stated that community participation is very important to break through the barriers.

Dr Akaba Jamir, DTO informed about the benefits of DOTS and MDR TB as it prevents the spread of tuberculosis thus, reducing the incidence and prevalence. In a voluntary speech, Mhasiekhoto TB Champion shared about the treatment journey under DOTS programme and support given by District TB Control Society. Sputum collection was conducted and found 8 samples for testing.

Mon: Mon observed World TB Day at the conference Hall of District Hospital, Mon. Dr Tinenlo James Katiwa, District TB Officer, NTEP Mon briefed on the background of the disease and how the disease has been neglected during the pandemic.

N Mannon, Advocate, Project Assistant, DLSA, Mon briefed on the HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Act 2017.

Thavaseelan K IAS DC Mon said, “The world TB Day is one of the most significant event in the district because in Nagaland within the districts, the highest cases prevails in Mon for several reasons, adding to the full concentration on the pandemic.” He informed about the app which is an effort to combat the disease using technology.

Earlier, NTEP Mon initiated an essay, drawing and slogan competition on TB on March 12 for schools. During the programme, the winners were given award by TDC Mon. Temnyei M Konyak from Police Unit School, Mon who won the essay competition read his essay.

Dimapur: NTEP under Dimapur district observed World TB Day in Niuland Town at ADC’s Conference Hall. The programme also highlighted TB Mukt Bharat (TB Free India) Campaign to eradicate TB by the year 2025.

Dr Benchilo Ngullie, DTO Dimapur presented the case scenario of Dimapur district. She stated that the main obstacle in eliminating TB from society is the stigma attached to it and thus, the tremendous need of community participation to remove such discriminations from their mind set and consider TB as just another treatable communicable disease. She sensitized the participants on the various services available in the district for quality diagnosis and treatment which are given free of cost by the government.

Ajit Kumar Verma, DC Niuland speaking as guest of honour exhorted the participants to be part of TB Mukt by investing their time in TB elimination activities. He urged the communities of Niuland to show concern for TB patients so that TB elimination can be achieved.

Monica, a cured TB Champion shared her experiences of her treatment journey and the love and support she received from her family while fighting TB. The staff of District TB Center Dimapur presented a skit to reflect the theme of the programme. Certificate of Appreciation was also awarded to 4 staff under NTEP Dimapur during the programme. The programme concluded with pledge-taking by the participants to support the goal of TB elimination.

Kiphire: NTEP Kiphire commemorates World TB Day at Council Hall, Longmatra village, in Kiphire district. Speaking at the programme, Thsurhosie Kajiri, Additional SP, Kiphire said TB Day is commemorated yearly on March 24 to raise and disseminate public awareness about the dreaded disease and how it affects one’s health. Stating that TB is a curable disease, in which one can feel and see, Kajiri emphasised on early detection and treatment to cure TB.

Dr John Nyuthe, District Tuberculosis Officer spoke about the awareness on TB, during which he mentioned that constant cough, feeling feverish, night sweats, and appetite loss were some symptoms of tuberculosis.

Longleng: The NTEP Longleng observed World TB Day at DC’s conference hall, Longleng.EAC, Longleng Pichano Kikon asserted that TB is one of the deadliest diseases that took millions of live globally. For this reason she said Government of India have launched various programs to eliminate TB by 2025.

Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Longleng highlighted various treatment available for TB. He informed that although TB is a life threatening disease but 100% curable provided the patients completes their treatment course as prescribed by the medical professional and by maintaining personal hygiene and nutrition.

In his keynote address, Dr Temsusashibi DTO, Longleng said that the purpose of observing the day was to disseminate awareness on TB to the mass and eliminate it by 2025. He said in the past such programs was held in the blocks and village level but this year the program was proposed to be held in the district headquarter with a view to take consolidate steps by the various leaders and government officers and to sensitize the people back in their communities to achieve the goal of TB elimination. He also gave away the best ASHA Award to one of the best performing Asha of Bhumnyu village. Awareness on TB was proposed by Tongang Phom STS (NTEP). This was followed by interaction and discussion.

Mokokchung: World TB Day was observed at PHC Tsurangkong, Mokokchung. A welcome address was given by Dr Wapang MO Tsurangkong.

Dr L Tiameren Imchen DTO, gave a short presentation on the significance of the theme, that it conveys the urgent need to invest resources the fight against TB and achieve the commitments to end TB made by global leaders.

Dr Medem RTD Addl Director, SMO DR-TB Centre, Mokokchung exhorted the participants stating that, we commemorate World Tuberculosis (TB) Day on March 24 to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB, and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic.

A short speech was delivered by Atsüngba Walling, Border Magistrate, Tsurangkong. The programme was attended by the staff of PHC, ASHAs of Tsurangkong Block, Village council members and the Students & Teachers of Government High School, Tsurangkong.

Wokha: NTEP, District TB Centre, Wokha organized a programme to commemorate World Tuberculosis Day. Dr Akum Jamir, District TB Officer, District TB Centre spoke on the significance of World TB Day and the vision to achieve TB free India by 2030 as per Sustainable Development Goals. Testing of TB by CBNAAT is being offered through the NTEP for achieving this goal, he added.

Certificate of appreciation were presented to NTEP staffs by Dr Tumchobeni, Chief Medical Officer, Wokha while short speeches were made by Chonpenthung Ezung, SDO Civil Wokha and Sulanthung Ngullie, a cured TB patient.

Zunheboto: World Tuberculosis Day was observed at CMO Office, Zunheboto organized by NTEP, District Tuberculosis Centre, Zunheboto. In the keynote address Dr Y Aron Sema DTO stated that the objective of this day is to raise awareness about the social, personal health and economic devastation that is caused due to TB over the years.

A detailed report and statistics on NTEP was given by Anatoli Kiba, STS. Rosemary Vitoli, District Programme Manager, Zunheboto stated that we are in a mission to strengthen the health system, together we have achieved so much because of dedication and loyalty.

Guest Speaker, Dr K Akaho Sema Deputy CMO Zunheboto stated that the idea of observing World TB Day is to create public awareness and to understand more about the nature of the infectious disease. He emphasized that the awareness should be firstly created among the healthcare workers as often we fail to realize the importance of this programme and that we are working towards the elimination phase of the deadly and infectious nature of this bacteria.

He further urged the healthcare workers to intensify active case findings and it should be carried out at all levels and health units. And also actively and systematically follow up all the patients who are on Anti-Tubercular Drugs (ATD) to give proper counseling, and support of healthcare workers and family members so that rather who have recovered from TB will automatically become ambassadors of the programme and those people will be the one who will create awareness and supporters of the Anti Tubercular Drugs.

Phek: NTEP Phek observed World TB Day with Dr Khriezotuo Paphino Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Phek as the main speaker. The program was held at Dr Wethselo Memorial hall, DH Phek.

Dr Khriezotuo in his speech highlighted the various activities been conducted under NTEP such as conducting Active Case Findings by ASHAs in all the villages. CMO shared that BCG vaccine against TB given to the children has saved thousands of life. He said that it is the responsibilities of the health workers, NGOs to spread correct message, give awareness and ensure that TB patients are completely cured.

Vesupra Kezo, SP Phek spoke on the importance of timely treatment. He ensured that if TB patient follow the protocols of the Doctors they can be cured and stop further spread of the disease to other person.

In his keynote address by Dr Wemeri Khutsoh, SMO DH Phek shared the statistics of TB of Nagaland. He gave a brief highlights on the observation of World TB day, its treatment and signs and symptoms of TB.

The other highlights of the programme included special presentation by Zito Nyekha Music Teacher, felicitation of TB champion, winner of the wall painting competition and pledge signing by all the participants.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/nagaland-invest-to-end-tb-save-lives