Message on TB Day: Tuberculosis is curable

Our Correspondent Kohima, March 24 (EMN): The Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) of the Health and Family Welfare department observed World Tuberculosis Day. This year’s theme for the day was “It’s time” to end Tuberculosis. The event was conducted at Rivenburgs Memorial Chapel, on Sunday afternoon, March 24, in Kohima in collaboration with the Students Christian Fellowship. The mission director for the National Health Mission Dr. Kevichusa Medikhru attended the occasion its special guest. He said that the day was being observed to commemorate individuals who work hard to eliminate tuberculosis. According to Medikhru, there were four lakh tuberculosis cases in India in 2016. In an effort to prevent the disease, the government of India had taken a strategic plan that the disease would be eliminated from the country by 2025, against the world target of 2030. Tuberculosis was incurable three to four decades ago, but it can be cured now. The government of India has given ‘full support’ to fighting against the disease. Medikhru urged people to come forward and get treated rather than being ignorant about it.  He spoke about the support system such as the Niksay  Poshan Yojana, which gives patients INR 500 every month till the completion of treatment. Achieving the goal of eliminating tuberculosis by 2025 is ‘not possible if we leave the issue only to the doctors and people working in hospital but everybody has to work together,’ Medikhru said. He appealed for concerted effort from the people to fight together to eliminate the disease from the community Assistant programme officer for the RNTCP, Dr. Apichetla Amer also said that students were a target group this time around to promote awareness among the community. She explained the theme of World Tobacco Day 2019 “It’s time,” besides explaining the five objectives attached to the theme: It is time to ‘test and treat,’ ‘strengthen tuberculosis education and awareness among health care providers,’ ‘speak up,’ ‘end stigma,’ and ‘end tuberculosis.’ Treatment for tuberculosis infection is essential in controlling the disease in the community in which the public health system and private providers play a crucial role, she said. Education about the disease among clinicians, health care agencies, and community organisations, particularly people serving at-risk populations, is the need of the hour, Amer added. Any person can contract tuberculosis through close contact with a person having the disease. Stigma associated with it may also place certain populations at higher risk. It may keep people from seeking medical care or follow-up care for tuberculosis, she said. Speaking of RNTCP, Amer said it was launched on Dec. 1 2002. The present infrastructural set up includes state tuberculosis cells in 11 districts and two DRTB sites; 50 microscopy centres with co-located ICTCs, nine testing sites and approximately 600 dots centres or providers, she said. Some of the common symptoms of tuberculosis are persistent cough for several weeks; pain in the chest; coughing up blood with sputum; weakness or fatigue; weight loss; loss of appetite; fever and sweating at night, the officer said. Amer advised TB patients to cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. They are also advised to consume healthy food, have plenty of rest, let family and friends know of the treatment too. Further, the official advised that anyone who has tuberculosis can access rapid diagnosis, treatment, and care. It is a matter of social justice, fundamental to World Health Organisation’s goal of universal health coverage, the gathering was informed. Also, state programme officer for the RNTCP Dr Tiasunep Pongener urged students to become ambassadors for a noble cause and become a partner in fighting tuberculosis. It is a ‘social disease,’ he said. People from the lower socio-economic classes, and people with low immunity are more vulnerable to the disease, he said and urged the people to ‘help a TB patient to help themselves.’ Pongener felt that ‘because of stigma, TB is hidden’ and wondered what was there to hide. Tuberculosis is curable and medicines are available at free at all public health care centres, he added. Kohima District TB Health Society [caption id="attachment_240372" align="aligncenter" width="565"] Members of Students Christian Fellowship, and health officials at the World Tobacco Day programme, on March 24 in Kohima.[/caption] The Kohima District TB Health Society also observed World Tuberculosis Day which falls on the 24th o March every year. The group organised a “celebration” at Don Bosco School Colony with students along with their wardens, and people from the colony participating along with staffs of the RNTCP. District TB officer, Dr. Asunu Thong spoke on the theme, a press release from the organisers informed on Sunday. She said tuberculosis is the ‘captain of death’ (sic) amongst all the infectious diseases and that in India everyday more than 6000 contract the disease and more than 600 die, the press release stated. Tuberculosis is spread through sneezing, coughing and talking. It affects primarily the lungs but can spread to other parts of the body too. Anyone with cough, fever of more than two weeks, or show loss of appetite, and weight loss should get themselves checked for tuberculosis, she said. Thong explained that the good news though, is that diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis is now available at citizens’ doorstep for free. Patients are advised to avail the treatment facilities and also encourage others to do so. This can remove stigma and discrimination associated with the disease, the updates stated. The government has declared that India will eliminate the disease by 2025, for which health personnel have started working toward said objective on a war footing against tuberculosis ‘by increasing TB awareness and sensitization to the public, going house to house collecting sputum samples to test for TB and visiting villages on a greater level.’ According to the press release, a citizen by the name of Mezhulhoubeilie, said to be a ‘cured TB patient’ spoke about “his TB journey.” Mon Mon district also observed World TB Day 2019 on March 24 in the chapel hall of the district hospital of Mon. The event was organised with the objective to raise public awareness to step up efforts to end tuberculosis globally, updates about the programme informed on Sunday. “As it is always said, joy and peace are meant to be shared as often as possible, Mr Khangku, shared his testimony of how he got diagnosed with TB and the hurdles that came along. But then, he soon got full course treatment as per doctor’s prescription and overcame the disease,” the updates stated. “So he stated to those who have symptoms of TB that they should go to get tested as soon as possible. He added that he can give advice to people who are suffering from TB based on his experience.” A medical officer, Dr Tinenlo James Katwa, also addressed the event. He said that though ‘ignorance is bliss,’ it ‘does not apply in this context.’ He quoted a verse from the Bible that says, “Know the truth and the truth will set you free,” the updates stated. Having the knowledge of the disease is the only weapon to get rid of the dreadful illness and that one should know the truth and the facts about tuberculosis, he said. Katwa also talked about the theme, the updates stated. “He said it is time to get tested and treat latent TB infection. It’s time to speak up and do away with the stigma. He said that he has observed lot of TB cases in the remote areas of Mon. One of the reasons thriving with numbers is because it is an airborne disease.” The medical officer was stated to have requested the participants to “refer anyone in and around them having symptoms of severe cough to get tested immediately. Nagaland has targeted to eradicate TB by 2020-25." Likewise, he requested all the participants to work together and to support the medical department in achieving said target and help Mon district be free from tuberculosis. He briefed them about the benefits of Nikshay Poshan Yojana, which is a monthly financial assistance scheme for tuberculosis patients, the updates stated. Peren [caption id="attachment_240374" align="aligncenter" width="565"] Peren also observed World TB Day on March 24 with a programme organized by the RNTCP in association with other agencies.[/caption] Peren district also observed World TB Day on the 24^th. A programme marking the event was organized by the district’s RNTCP in association with the DAPCU and a group called Legacy Explorers, updates stated on Sunday. Health officials and organisers addressed the gathering, highlighting to them the cause of tuberculosis, how to detect its signs and symptoms, and the preventive measures available to treat them. Patients were advised to complete their medication course too. Further, they were also given information about the facilities and services that are available through the RNTCP. The Nikshay Poshan Abhiyaan scheme, which is a nutritional support and incentive to TB patients, was also highlighted during the programme, the updates stated. Wokha The district health society of the Health and Family Welfare division of Wokha observed World Tuberculosis Day with Vungoju sector church’s Sunday school children. The event was conducted in collaboration with a nongovernmental organisation called Thera Welfare Society, updates stated on Sunday. The media officer of Wokha’s National Health Mission issued on Sunday a press release offering updates about the programme. According to the press release, audio visuals on tuberculosis were shown to the Sunday school children. The entire event was organized ‘as a means of creating awareness to the children through the AV aids,’ the organisers stated. The district tuberculosis officer, Dr. Benchilo Ngullie, said children should improve their immunity by maintaining a healthy diet, to prevent tuberculosis. She encouraged the children to develop healthy eating habits. She talked about the services that are available in the district ‘for quality diagnosis and treatment,’ which are given for free by the government. As part of the World TB Day observance, a poster campaign was carried out on March 23. Health personnel pasted posters on public transport in Wokha town. A “cured TB child,” according to the press release, spoke about her recovery and encouraged the participants to come forward for sputum testing and go for early diagnosis in case they experience persistent coughing for more than two weeks. Zunheboto [caption id="attachment_240375" align="aligncenter" width="565"] Workers of the RNTCP and participants at the World TB Day programme at South Point-E fellowship, in Zunheboto.[/caption] The RNTCP of Zunheboto district also observed World TB Day, at South Point-E fellowship, in Zunheboto. The district media officer of the Zunheboto chief medical officer’s establishment issued on Sunday a press release offering updates about the programme. Dr. G Viholi of the RNTCP highlighted the significance of the day. She briefed the gathering about the objectives of the platform. It is designed to build public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis, and to step up efforts to end the disease globally, the gathering was told. Further, Viholi spoke about early warnings to detect the disease early. She explained the signs and symptoms of tuberculosis and about the designated microscopy centre that is said to be available in Zunheboto. Dr. Viholi said that ‘Tuberculosis is a major concern for people living with HIV (PLHIV) as their impaired immune systems make them particularly vulnerable to the disease. Providing the right care and support to the PLHIV with TB co-infection remains a priority to reduce related morbidity and mortality,’ the medical officer said. She urged citizens to take the responsibility of spreading awareness, and called upon the government, affected communities, healthcare providers, and nongovernmental organisations to unite to eradicate tuberculosis. Dr. Viholi also emphasised that the theme of World TB Day 2019 puts the accent on the urgency to act on the commitments made by global leaders to scale up access to prevention and treatment; build accountability to end stigma and discrimination; and promote an equitable, rights-based and people-centred TB response. She said the government of India aims to end the disease by 2025, and envisions a country free of tuberculosis with zero deaths, disease and suffering. Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Akaho, no surname given, also delivered a short speech. Tuberculosis is an infectious disease which transmitted through the air, water and food, he said. It is a major problem that people should get medical checks and get cured at the earliest.  To eradicate the disease, he said, ‘we should come together to learn about it and provide the community to get every knowledge about the disease.’ Church workers, youths, stakeholders, medical fraternity and the IEC bureau attended the programme, the press release stated. Earlier in the day, a promotional activity to spread awareness about the disease was undertaken in the form of a poster campaign. 120 to undergo three months’ free training in tailoring Our Correspondent Mokokchung, March 24 (EMN): A three-month free training course in tailoring as part of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), a scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, was dedicated by pastor Rev. Ponen Longchar of the Mokokchung Town Baptist Church, at the TK Skills on March 23 in Mokokchung. The programme is being implemented in collaboration with the National Skill Development; Skill India; department of Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Nagaland; and TK Skills of Mokokchung. Speaking at the programme, the reverend urged the trainees to become professional through the training opportunity. The world belongs to those who are dedicated and professional in their respective fields, he said. Longchar said that the government cannot give employment to all. Therefore, he said, youths and students should become ‘masters of own skills’ and impart the skills and knowledge to the coming generation. 120 seats have been allotted for the first batch for the scheme. The learners will be trained by two master tailors.