World TB Day observed with call to unite against the disease

Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, MARCH 24

The World Tuberculosis (TB) Day was observed in Kohima today underscoring the need for greater collaboration between the government, NGOs and communities to combat the infectious disease which causes an alarming rate of deaths. The occasion was held in line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) call on countries and partners to ‘Unite to End TB’.
India is considered as one of the highest TB-burdened countries accounting for one-fifth of the global incidence. In Nagaland, ever since the Revised National TB Control Program (RNTCP) was launched in 2002 up to 2015, out of 1,54,968 TB suspect cases that were examined, 40,562 patients were reported to have been initiated on treatment under the basic Directly Observed Treatment Short course chemotherapy (DOTS). Under TB and HIV collaborative programme, there are 1139 co-infected patients as recorded from 2008 to 2015, while 417 patients diagnosed with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) between 2012-2015 are under Programmatic Management of Drug-resistant TB (PMDT) service component of the state RNTCP, and the state has seen two cases of extensive drug-resistant TB (XDR TB)
This data was revealed by the state TB officer RNTCP, Dr. KT Lotha during the World TB Day programme held in the state capital at the conference hall of the Kohima Press Club. Highlighting the efforts of the state RNTCP and its initiatives in checking and treating TB, the official said there are 11 District TB Centre (DTC), 44 Designated Microscopy Centre (DMC), 4 Microscopy Centre (MC), 2 Drug Resistant TB Centre (Mokokchung and Khuzama) and 4 Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT) laboratories while 2 more have been approved.
On new initiatives, Dr. Lotha informed that Silicoses Control Programme (SCP) has been integrated into the RNTCP to check silicoses, a lung disease caused by breathing in tiny bits of silica that is part of sand, rock and mineral ores which are generally emitted from sand and stone quarry, stone crushing units, coal mines, brick factories etc. He said that while everyone is at risk of this disease, more so with the burgeoning sand and stone quarries on roadsides, the people working at the units and those living near these places are most vulnerable. Towards this, he said the state RNTCP under SCP, will be conducting survey in collaboration with DIC and allied departments such as the pollution board (NPCB), Forest & Environment, Geology & Mining, Labour, and Industries besides awareness campaigns. The concerned people, he stated, will be assessed if they have TB and then tested for silicosis after which the suspect cases will be referred to the non-communicable clinic at the district hospitals for further investigation and treatment. The patients will later be linked to the appropriate department for rehabilitation and other social benefits, he added.
The official also highlighted the launching of the TB drug, Bedaquiline, an exclusive medicine to tackle drug resistant TB cases in the country on March 21 this year by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Although the drug is initially being introduced at six identified tertiary care centres across India having advanced facilities for laboratory testing and intensive care for patients, Dr. Lotha said Nagaland will also be receiving this multidrug-resistant treatment medicine soon.
Nagaland Users’ Network (NUN) coordinator Ketho Angami, and Network of Nagaland Drugs and AIDS Organizations (NNagaDAO) president Abou Mere also shared their concerns on the spread of TB particularly among the most productive age group of 15-45. They also emphasized on the need for more concerted efforts between the government agencies and the different community-based NGOs towards eradicating the disease from the society.
Towards the end, the concluding remarks were delivered by H&FW additional director Dr. John Seyievisa and program officer Vihaan/NNP+ Shanpanthung tendered the vote of thanks.
The day was also marked by a Cycle Rally in the morning which was flagged off from PR Junction to High School Junction cutting through the capital town and culminated at the Kohima Press Club office. The participants made brief stops at major strategic points of the town and distributed RNTCP pamphlets to the public to create more awareness on the deadly disease that is TB. The rally was co-organized by The Naga Blog Cycling Club.