TB elimination strategies, integrated action discussed at SMCC meeting

DIMAPUR — The first meeting of the State Multisectoral Collaborative Committee (SMCC) was held on August 14 at the State TB Cell, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Nagaland, in Kohima, under the chairmanship of Dr. Akuo Sorhie, mission director, National Health Mission (NHM).

Multisectoral action identifies key areas and mechanisms for alignment and presents a concrete roadmap for harnessing existing expertise across sectors and institutions. The overarching goal is to strengthen the country’s capacity for a multisectoral response that facilitates TB elimination by 2025.

The meeting was attended by the nodal officers from various departments, including Prisons, Rural Development, Social Welfare, Labour and Employment, SCERT, and Tribal Affairs, according to a press release.

In her introductory speech, Dr. Sorhie made a strong case for ensuring participation from all sectors to provide comprehensive care and support to TB patients, which will help fast-track TB elimination efforts and emphasise the need to work in mission mode within the state.

Dr. Collins Z Sono, a World Health Organisation consultant, made a presentation on the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) and TB disease. He emphasised the objectives, goals, and activities of TB elimination, which centre around four basic strategies: prevent, detect, treat, and build.

On the theme of a multisectoral approach to TB care, Temjenochetla Ao, state PPM coordinator, presented the key areas of integrated action and the scope of involvement across various ministries.

The state TB officer, Dr. Vezokholu Theyo, facilitated the discussion hour based on specific agenda points, including the TB-free workplace policy, which can be adopted in all workplace settings; various schemes or facilities available in allied departments; the inclusion of TB in different projects; and conducting active case finding among specific target populations, such as in prisons and industries, and awareness-generation activities.