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DIMAPUR — Nagaland TB Survivors Network was launched during a two-day state-level capacity building workshop, organised by National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), in collaboration with #Touched by TB #REACH #USAID Project, in Kohima on January 18 and 19.
An update from the Health department stated that the welcome address and objectives of the workshop was delivered by Dr. Raghavan Gopa Kumar, NTEP national coordinator, New Delhi, wherein he highlighted the roles of TB champions to make people aware about TB and the need for seeking care and support for people with TB to undergo treatment and get back to good health.
It stated that Dr. Swuduvelu Ngully, NTEP medical officer, spoke on “TB Science: getting the basics of TB, psycho social support to TB patients and pathways to TB cure,” while Temjenochetla Ao, PPM coordinator, shared on understanding TB burden in India with special reference to Nagaland state and district level scenario.
It added that Thungchanbeni M Humtsoe, NTEP state IEC officer, spoke on understanding NTEP organogram–national and state, Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhayian and Viksit Bharat Sanklap Yatra.
It was followed with a presentation on advocating and conducting community awareness to different stakeholders by Ojungsangla Longkumer, JHPIEGO.
Report stated that TB champions from 11 districts participated in the workshop and shared their stories about TB including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and successful completion of treatment, side effects and how they coped with it etc.
Certificates were handed out to all the TB champions by NTEP state TB officer.
It informed that TB Survivor Network was launched on Friday led by Monica as president, Haisong Newme as vice president, Avino L Aye as general secretary, Dhonshring Hasnu as treasurer along with five executive members representing five districts.
Meanwhile, Dr. Vezokholu Theyo, state TB officer, expressed gratitude to all the TB champions and partners for attending the workshop. She also encouraged all the TB champions to get engaged with NTEP and put efforts together in eliminating TB by 2025.