Correspondent
KOHIMA, JUN 25 (NPN): The State TB Forum Nagaland meeting was held at the Conference Hall of the Commissioner and Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima on Thursday, with discussions focusing on strengthening tuberculosis (TB) detection, awareness, public participation and multi-sectoral collaboration towards achieving a TB-free Nagaland.
Addressing the meeting, Commissioner and Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Anoop Khinchi said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India were committed to making the country TB-free. He informed that a meeting with the Prime Minister had been held on June 24 and stressed that Nagaland must equally rise to the challenge by dedicating its energy, time and resources towards the mission.
Describing the programme as increasingly important, Khinchi said all efforts should be directed towards achieving the objective of eliminating TB. He emphasised the need to enhance support through Jan Bhagidari (public participation) by involving elected legislators, government officials and corporate entities through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives under the Nikshay Mitra programme.
Khinchi also called for strategic planning to establish TB screening kiosks during expos and festivals to scale up screening and case detection across the state. He said such initiatives would strengthen efforts to eliminate TB in Nagaland.
Highlighting the importance of collaboration with private healthcare institutions, he urged officials to explore deployment of screening equipment and technicians in private hospitals to facilitate greater screening and testing, noting that such facilities attracted significant public footfall.
He further underscored the role of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (TBMBA) in eliminating TB through intensified screening and testing and sought the support and participation of elected representatives in the Nikshay Mitra initiative.
Khinchi also stressed the importance of convergence with other vertical programmes and line departments and advocated greater engagement of TB Champions to motivate and inspire people. He encouraged citizens to utilise the TB Mukt Bharat App and Chatbot to access information on TB and promote awareness and sensitisation.
Earlier, State TB Officer (NTEP), Dr. Akum Jamir, presented an overview of the State TB Forum and said its objective was to engage policymakers and implementers in ensuring justice, rights and dignity for TB patients while facilitating effective service delivery.
He stated that the forum sought to supplement and complement government initiatives by promoting patient-friendly laws, policies and programmes, reducing stigma and discrimination and ensuring social security for TB patients, survivors and their families.
Dr. Jamir said the forum also aimed to improve awareness of government schemes, provisions and facilities available to TB patients, enhance treatment literacy and adherence, and undertake evidence-based advocacy with stakeholders to expand services.
Presenting an update on the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), he informed that Nagaland had coverage through 133 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs), along with 396 Sub-Health Centres serving 1,390 villages and wards, covering a population of 16.39 lakh.
Of the total population, he said 6.19 lakh people had been identified as high-risk across 344 villages and urban local bodies (ULBs), with 1,379 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) mapped for the campaign. He also highlighted the availability of various support facilities under the programme.
Dr. Jamir informed that 505 Shivir health and screening camps had been organised across the state, recording over 30,926 footfalls and resulting in the notification of 853 TB cases. Of the notified cases, 440 (53%) were asymptomatic. He said 64% of vulnerable individuals had undergone X-ray screening, while 92% of notified cases had been detected through Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) microbiological testing.
He further reported that 71% of eligible individuals had been initiated on Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy (TPT), 13% had received Poshan Kits, and nine Nikshay Mitra registrations had been completed.
During the programme, Khinchi administered a pledge to forum members reaffirming their commitment towards ending TB.
Representatives from NSRLM, KNP+, ARK and TB Champions attended the meeting. The vote of thanks was delivered by Assistant Programme Officer, State TB Cell, Dr. Apitchetla Amer.