Kikheto seeks renewed effort to eliminate TB in Nagaland

KOHIMA: The commissioner and secretary of Health department, Y Kikheto Sema has on Friday called upon all the stakeholders to renew efforts to eradicate tuberculosis (TB) from the society.

He was addressing the World TB Day event held at the directorate of Health and Family Welfare (DoHFW) in Kohima held on the theme “Yes we can end TB” as special guest. He highlighted the history of Dr. Robert Koch, who on March 24, 1882, found the cure for tuberculosis.

Sema has called upon the participants and society at large to renew their commitment and rededicate themselves in the fight against TB and also unite to work towards the elimination of TB, which is an infectious disease and leading cause of death worldwide.

The officer pointed out that TB remains as one of the world’s deadliest infectious killers. He has reminded on the global efforts to combat TB, which has saved an estimated 66 million lives since 2000.

Highlighting that World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared TB as an emergency about three decades back, he viewed that Nagaland has also come a long way in the elimination of TB with the support of centre’s funding and guidance. He also pointed out that there are around 4000 TB patients in the state.

Sema also underlined India’s commitment to end TB by 2025, which is five years ahead of the SDG target and called for efforts to achieve the same. He also called upon the people to come forward to support TB patients under ‘Nikshay Mitra Campaign’ and ‘Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Abhiyan (PMTBMBA),’ initiatives to provide nutritional support to TB patients.

Expressing delight that more than 251 donors (Nikshay Mitra) have come forward to support the nutrition of poor and needy TB patients in the state in six months, he has assured to support 11 patients one in each district for six months with the food basket till the completion of their treatment at an amount of INR 33,000.

He has sought the support of all line departments such as administration, municipality, Social Welfare, Rural Development, Labour, Tribal Affairs, IPR, etc to fight against tuberculosis.

The commissioner and secretary also interacted with six TB patients at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) and wished for their speedy recovery.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ritu Thurr, Mission Director National Health Mission (NHM), in his speech, stressed on the need for a strong political and administrative commitment, uninterrupted supply of TB drugs, multi-sectoral convergence with all the line department and a better sensitisation through IEC activities to achieve the goal to eliminate TB.

He has further announced his commitment to give nutritional support to five TB patients for six months.

Dr. Collins Z Sono, WHO medical consultant, presented activities and facilities available under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP).

The programme was chaired by Dr. Tiasunup Pongener, NTEP state TB officer, while Anjali shared her personal journey on how she, as a TB patient, became a TB champion.

To mark the occasion, an essay writing competition was conducted in which the first prize was conferred to Sibenya Jemu, while Atonu Khatso and Zuhuvelu won the second and third prizes respectively.

Meanwhile, Longleng district observed World TB Day in Yongyah village.

Speaking on the occasion, the district TB officer, Longleng, Dr. Temsusashi, shared the vision of collective efforts in making Longleng district TB-free by 2025.

An awareness programme on TB was also presented by Tongang Phom, STS. The chairmen of Yongyah Village Council and Shamshang Village Council also spoke on the occasion.

In another programme, NTEP, Wokha, also organised a programme to commemorate World TB Day at Wozhuro community hall.

The district TB officer, Dr. Akum Jamir, spoke on the significance of the day and also highlighted on the impact of TB disease on an individual, free treatment and nutritional support for TB patients provided by the Medical department.

Tshopeu, psychologist from NTEP Wokha, spoke on the harmful effects of tobacco. He also shared his experience on overcoming the disease.