With an aim to turn the tide against the Tuberculosis (TB) epidemic and reduce the spread of this serious infectious disease with continued efforts and awareness campaigns, Nagaland joined the world in the battle against TB by creating awareness and prevention under the 2024 theme, “Yes! We can end TB”, Sunday.
The Global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) “End TB Target of 2030” is a 90% reduction in the number of TB deaths and an 80% reduction in the TB incidence rate (new cases per 100,000 population per year) compared with levels in 2015.
In line with the government of India’s aim to eliminate TB by 2025, Nagaland State National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) is racing to fulfil this ambitious target and achieve a “TB-Free Nagaland” goal by 2025.
During the awareness programme, NTEP units highlighted the gathering about “TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan” campaign and the various free facilities for TB patients such as free drugs, free tests and financial aid.
Dimapur notifies 2064 TB cases in 2023
District TB Officer (DTO), Dr. Benchilo Ngullie, while highlighting the case scenario on TB incidence for Dimapur district, said 2064 TB cases were detected, notified and put on treatment in the year 2023.
A press release by District Tuberculosis Centre (DTC) Dimapur stated the DTO was speaking at the “World TB Day” programme organised by NTEP Dimapur at Sumi Baptist Church (SBC) Niuland.
Calling for a common vision and cooperation to eliminate TB by 2025, she said this vision would materialise only when all the stakeholders come together and participate in the movement for “TB Free India”.
To achieve a “TB free India” by 2025, Ngullie said ASHAs, in coordination with the community, must work hard towards making every village a TB free village.
She encouraged church members to participate in the “TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan” campaign and spread awareness about TB so that stigma for TB could be removed from communities.
In a short speech, the EAC Niuland, Kelingunuo Solo, encouraged the communities to be aware of the NTEP programmes and extend cooperation for the success of the campaign. During the programme, the “TB Champion”, Tumben Ngullie, shared his testimony about how he was cured of TB. The “TB Free Village Award” was awarded to Zuvukhu Village.
Mon notifies 101 TB cases in 2024; 2 villages declared ‘TB Free’
District TB Officer (DTO) Mon, Dr. Tinenlo James Katiwa, informed that Mon district has notified of 101 new TB cases in the year 2024 and 592 TB cases in 2023. A press release by National Health Mission (NHM) Mon stated that the DTO was addressing the “World TB Day” programme organised by the District Health Society (DHS) Mon under NTEP at the Conference Hall of District Hospital (DH) Mon.
Katiwa said the district was making efforts to scale up TB screening and enhance preventive treatment. He acknowledged that the district has a long way going and a huge task to achieve the target of eliminating TB by 2025.
Special guest, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mon, Ajit Kumar Verma, expressed the hope to see more villages become “TB Mukt Village”. He also underscored the importance of early detection in defeating the disease.
During the programme, the “TB Champion”, Kaipong, shared his experiences in defeating the disease. Wetting Village of Phomching block and Shingnyu of Tobu block were declared “TB Mukt Villages” of the district.
Four villages in Mokokchung declared ‘TB Free’
The “World TB Day” was observed by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Mokokchung with Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mokokchung, Thsuvisie Phoji, as the special guest. A press release by National Health Mission (NHM) Mokokchung stated that while addressing a gathering at the Conference Hall of CMO Mokokchung office, the DC advocated the need to create more awareness about TB. He called upon the gathering to make it their responsibility to spread awareness at their respective localities.
Phoji also highlighted the need to put more efforts into ensuring that there are more “TB Free Villages” in the district. He acknowledged medical officers, health workers and staff for their tireless efforts to eradicate TB. During the programme, two “TB Champions” shared their testimony, while Liroyim, Aokum, Changtongya Yimsen and Satsu villages were declared “TB Free”.
Three villages in Kohima declared “TB Free”
The “World TB Day” was observed by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Kohima, Department of Health & Family Welfare (DoH&FW) National Health Mission (NHM) at Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima (NHAK) Auditorium.
A press release by CMO Kohima stated that three villages, namely Kiruphema Bawe under Sechu block, Phekerkriema Bawe and Seiyha Phesa under Chiephobozou block were declared “TB Free”.
Highlighting the gathering on the significance of the day, District TB Officer (DTO), Dr. Chibenthung Kithan, said TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious killer and that ending TB requires concerted action by all sectors to provide the right services, support and enabling a safe environment in the right place at the right time.
The president of the ARK Foundation, Kohima, also spoke on the role of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in response to TB elimination. During the programme, winners of a one-minute video challenge on “Contribution of HWC for TB free India by 2025” for all districts of the state were also felicitated.
Nine villages in Wokha declared “TB Free”
Nine villages, namely Longsachung, Okheyan, Thaneyan, Koio, Rusanphen, Sankitong, Seleku, Bhandari village and Menkirang in Wokha district were declared “TB Free Villages” during the observance of “World TB Day” at Longsa Village Cultural Hall, Wokha.
According to a DIPR report, the programme was organised by NTEP Wokha District TB Centre with Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Wokha, K. Furhesie Nyuwi, as the special guest.
In his address, Nyuw appealed to the public to take the responsibility of spreading awareness and encouraging friends and neighbours affected by TB to get themselves tested and get early free treatment at the TB Centres.
He said that the target to eliminate TB by 2025 could be achieved if everyone followed the initiatives of the government and the health department.
Nyuw then lauded the initiatives of the department officials and staff by taking up various preventative measures and awareness campaigns to eliminate TB, and encouraged them to continue with the same efforts so that Wokha district becomes one of the model TB Free districts.
District TB Officer (DTO) Wokha, Dr. Akum Jamir, said TB could be cured and prevented from spreading if proper treatment was taken and urged patients to get early treatment.
22 patients with TB in Zunheboto; 2 villages declared ‘TB Free’
NTEP, District Tuberculosis Centre (DTC) Zunheboto observed “World TB Day”, wherein deputy Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Zunheboto, Dr. K. Akaho Sema, informed that currently 22 patients have been diagnosed with TB in the district.
A press release by National Health Mission (NHM) Zunheboto stated that Dr. Akaho said HIV being one of the most common opportunist diseases in connection with TB increases the risk of the disease.
He said the only way to eliminate TB was through early Active Case-Finding (ACF) or systematic screening for TB and added that similar efforts should be made equally towards HIV patients as well, since TB is directly connected with HIV.
Special guest, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Zunheboto Rahul Bhanudas Mali said early intervention and detection was necessary and a must to fight against TB considering that Nagaland has more than 4000 cases. During the programme, Tokiye and Ghathashi villages were declared “TB Free Villages”.
Sangtam calls for mass participation to make Kiphire a “TB Free Dist”
In a keynote address, Superintendent of Police (DP) Phek, Dr. Pritpal Kaur Batra, said a “100% free TB Village” could be achieved if the community leaders, village chairmen, societies etc., come forward and support the patients to take timely and regular treatment.
NHM District Programme Manager (DPM), Sede Rupreo, highlighted the gathering of “Nikshay Mitra” and its objectives. He informed that 40 TB patients in the district were yet to get “Nikshay Mitra” and asked them to get registered.
Citizens of Peren asked to create TB awareness
The “World TB Day” was observed by NTEP Peren in PTWWO Hall, Peren, wherein, deputy Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Peren, Dr. Lanuakum Aier, spoke on the significance of the day and encouraged the citizens to create awareness of TB. A press release by National Health Mission (NHM) Peren stated that Aier briefed the participants about TB data in Peren district and highlighted schemes like Nikshay Poshan Yojyana and Nikshay Mitras.
In a short speech, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Peren, Japheth Woch, thanked the health workers for their services to society. He also encouraged people to support and extend cooperation in the fight against TB.
34 villages in Phek declared ‘TB Mukt Panchayat Villages’
The “World TB Day” was observed by NTEP Phek at Dr. Wethselo Memorial Hall, District Hospital Phek, wherein 34 villages were felicitated by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Phek, John Tsulise Sangtam, as “TB Mukt Panchayat villages”.
A press release by National Health Mission (NHM) Phek stated that while addressing the gathering as the guest speaker, DC Phek highlighted the importance of spreading awareness on TB elimination to the grassroot level to achieve the 2025 target of “TB Free India”.