State TB Forum steps up efforts to end TB in Nagaland

KOHIMA — Highlighting that stigma and discrimination related to tuberculosis still prevails in Naga society, the State TB Forum has decided to bolster sensitisation and awareness in Nagaland—with the target to put an end to TB in the state.

The State TB Forum—comprising officials from the department of Health and Family Welfare, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), TB champions, media persons and other stakeholders—held a meeting on Friday in Kohima. The forum is headed by the commissioner and secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Anoop Khinchi.

During the meeting, Khinchi reminded the members that they have been entrusted with a big responsibility and solicited support from everyone to help eliminate TB from the state.

He suggested to the Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) and TB Officers of respective districts to seek the support of Legislators towards the Ni-kshay Mitra campaigns. Ni-kshay Mitra is a central government initiative that provides for additional diagnostic, nutritional, and vocational support by elected representatives, corporates, organisations, NGOs, and individuals to those undergoing TB treatment. 

State TB Officer for National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), Dr. Vezokholu Theyo highlighted the objective of TB Forum.

She informed that the TB-free India movement has committed to end TB in the country by 2025, five year ahead of the Global SDG. She added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the TB-free India campaign on March 13, 2018, as a social movement focused on patient-centric and holistic care, driven by integrated actions for TB-free India.

According to her, the TB Forum envisages to empower the TB-affected community and advocate for resolution of the challenges faced by TB patients in accessing TB services. It aims to act as a bridge between the community, TB patients, health system and CSOs; and lobby for policy changes towards accessible, affordable and supportive TB services.

IEC Officer, NTEP, Thungchanbeni M Humtsoe, informed that around 400 individuals, NGOs, institutions, elected representatives, corporate houses and donors have become Ni-kshay Mitras.

She said that 74 villages in the state were declared TB-free during World TB Day this year. During the meeting, two TB champions who have recovered from TB shared their experiences.

Among other issues, the members noted the need for more sensitisation and awareness campaigns among school and college students.