National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) 3rd quarter review meeting held on November 16 at IDSP Conference Hall, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare (DH&FW) observed that till date, Nagaland has 3720 “notified” Tuberculosis (TB) patients on treatment, and the success rate stands at 85%.
A press release by State programme officer (NTEP), DH&FW, Dr. Vezokholu Theyo stated that the review mainly focussed on the newer initiatives launched by the government of India for TB elimination by 2025 such as on TB Free Panchayat/ VDBs, community involvement of TB survivors’ decentralization of TB care at AB-HWCs.
NTEP said Nagaland has a strategic document in place which lays emphasis on four key strategies i.e., “detect, treat, prevent and build” to achieve all the stated activities. It informed that the “notified” TB patients till date were 3720 on treatment, and that the success rate stands at 85%.
During the meeting, commissioner and secretary H&FW, V Kezo emphasised on finding the missing cases from the estimated TB cases and stressed on the importance of data validation of targets and achievements.
Stating that an integrated approach with other vertical programmes was the need of the hour, Kezo suggested some activities such as advocacy meetings with Church bodies, involvement of the media fraternity and seeking political commitment from the elected representatives.
WHO consultant, Dr. Collins Z Sono highlighted about the programme’s performance in the state while WHO consultant RTL East & NE, Dr. Deka Dhrubajyoti, and WHO consultant, Dr. Palash Talukdar gave presentations of the various newer initiatives.
As per the district wise TB score based on nine NTEP indicators, Wokha was in the first position followed by Peren then Mon district. SPO (NHM), Dr. Mereninla Senlem encouraged the districts to rope in more “Nikshay Mitras”, who voluntarily provide food basket nutritional support and emotional support to TB patients. The meeting chaired by state programme officer (NTEP), Dr. Vezokholu Theyo was attended by all the officers and staff of NTEP.