With the objective to create awareness among the civil societies and communities, a sensitization and introductory workshop on Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV was jointly organized by Nagaland Users’ Networks (NUN) and Treatment Action Group (TAG)- a US based NGO under the theme “Addressing the burden of TB in Nagaland” at LCS building Kohima, Friday.
In an introductory remark, coordinator NUN Ketholelie Angami sought the help and support of civil societies in checking the growth of the “killer disease” in the state saying as “as long as humanity exists, TB is going to exists.”
Terming the workshop as a significant approach, he also expressed the hope that it would be the beginning to take the movement against the disease forward. Ketholelie Angami also added that this collaboration and partnership of the civil societies would determine the TB scenario in Nagaland.
Delivering a keynote address, principal director Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Nandira Changkija stressed on better coordination between the public and private sector which she said could break the artificial barrier that poses as a challenge towards effective programme implementation.
She also delibarted on the need for recapitulation and reassessing of strength by being sensitive to local needs, design programmes and responds accordingly and maintained that areas of sustainability could be addressed through partnership with key stakeholders.
Director TB & HIV, Treatment Action Group (TAG) Erica who came along with two other members from New York City said “Tuberculosis is preventable, curable and treatable”.
Explaining in detail the symptoms of TB, Erica said clinicians should be alert for TB and test for it. She said TB programmes should do “active case finding” and proactively screen and treat people for TB especially for children below 5 years, people with HIV, diabetes, those living in slums and people who smoke.
She also apprised the participants that more DST must have capable labs and NAAT, improve sample transport systems, use better electronic technology to get results to clinicians automatically and ensure good links between diagnosis and care so that test results inform treatment regimen.
Erica also asserted that it was very important linking private sector with public programme for ensuring best diagnosis and care, reducing costs for patients also importance of notification to understand disease burden/epidemiology.
Stressing on the role and responsibilities of the civil societies, Erica said the civil society could call for best policies to be in place to diagnose and treat TB, monitor gaps between policy and practice, conduct sensitizations on TB to increase awareness and reduce stigma and improve access to services.
Presenting a power point presentation, State TB Officer, Dr. K.T. Lotha said TB & HIV performance data shows that were 2,657 registered TB patients in 2015 with 2,184 known HIV status and 146 HIV infected in 2015.
The programme was attended by members of RNTCP, NSACS HIV & TB division, NGOs and civil society members.