NTEP organises capacity-building workshop for TB survivors

Dimapur, March 10 (EMN): The National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) in collaboration with #touched by TB #reach #usaid Project and ARK Foundation conducted district-level capacity-building workshop for TB Survivors in Kohima on March 8 and 9th.

Whille delivering the welcome address, Dr. Raghavan Gopa Kumar, National Coordinator, New Delhi highlighted the objectives of the workshop and underscored the role of TB champions to spread awareness about TB, the need to seek care, support people with TB and undergo treatment for the same, an update informed.

Rights-based approach to TB was shared by Ketholelie Angami, ARK Foundation, while Dr. Apichetla Amer, assistant programme officer shared about TB Science – getting the basics of TB, understanding TB burden in India, pathways to TB cure and psycho social support to TB patients.

It said that Temjenochetla Ao, PPM coordinator spoke on role of TB survivors to end TB in Nagaland, understanding NTEP organogram – national and state and advocating and conducting community awareness among different stakeholders.

A role play was enacted by TB champions, while effective communication and role of awareness in TB programme to end it was presented by Thungchanbeni M Humtsoe, state IEC officer, who also highlighted the importance of TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan to create a Jan Andolan focused on ending TB by 2025.

TB champions from Kohima and Dimapur participated in the workshop, wherein all of them told their stories about TB-symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and successful completion of treatment, side effects, how they coped with it etc. Certificates were handed out to all the TB champions.

It added that Dr. Tiasunup Pongener, state TB officer encouraged all the TB champions to get engaged with NTEP programme and put in collective efforts to eliminate TB by 2025.