NHM director calls for collective effort to eliminate TB

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 27 (EMN): Mission Director of National Health Mission (NHM), Dr. Thorusie Katiry, on Thursday called for collective effort from all sections of society to fight for elimination of tuberculosis (TB) in the state.

He was addressing the sensitisation of elimination efforts and updates on TB and the NTEP for private practitioners on National TB Elimination Program (NTEP) here at Hotel Japfü.

The official expounded the role of the private practitioners in achieving India’s ambitious plan to eliminate TB by 2025 ahead of the world’s target by 2030, and highlighted how partnership can help in mapping accuracy of data and, accordingly, plan out the TB programmes.

While pointing that 15 to 20% patients are going to private hospitals for treatment even though treatment is made free in the country, he emphasised on sensitisation of people about the facilities and exuded hope that Thursday’s event will open new doors for partnership and action.

Meanwhile, Dr. Collins Zekotso Sono, World Health Organisation (WHO) consultant, Nagaland, National TB Elimination Programme, made a presentation on ‘Drug-sensitive TB and the End TB strategy’. He also pointed out the strategy and challenges, TB disease situation in India and the state.

Dr. Palash Talukdar, medical consultant, WHO, highlighted on the latest guidelines on drug-resistant TB.

State PPM coordinator, NTEP, Temjenochetla Ao, also spoke on the occasion and stressed on ‘Partnership for TB care’.

Dr. Kejavisa Savino from Oking Hospital, Kohima, who spoke on behalf of the practitioners, stressed on the need to build partnership and coordination among private and the government hospitals to give better treatment to patients.

He also assured all possible support towards partnership for elimination of TB in the state.

The programme was chaired by, Dr. Kezhasino Meru, senior MO (direct observed therapy (DOTS+) and Vilekho Bio, finance consultant, NTEP, proposed vote of thanks.