ES Newsdesk

ITANAGAR, Mar 24: World Tuberculosis Day 2021 was observed across the state with an appeal to the citizens not to neglect the symptoms and commence early treatment for getting cured from the dreaded disease. This year’s theme is ‘The Clock is Ticking’.
In Lohit district the day was observed in Telluliang village wherein the District TB Officer (DTO) sensitized the villagers on symptoms such as cough, fatigue, weight loss, fever, night sweats etc. DMO Dr CL Manchay while detailing the contagious nature of TB said that treatment is available free of cost at the Zonal Hospital. Informing that India has set a target to eradicate the disease by 2025, he urged all to participate in the campaign by adhering to the dos and don’ts. A booklet on TB to mark the day was jointly released by ZMP Balong Tindiya and the DMO. The ZPM appealed to the PRI members, villagers and youths to generate awareness on the disease and stressed on involving the Anganwadi workers, ASHAs and other community workers in the process.
Highlighting briefly on the causes and prevention of TB, DOTS Dr UK Nath informed that under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), GoI has set 2025 as the deadline to eradicate the disease. “Out of 500 sputum samples or DOTS screened, we have tested 71 active TB cases in Lohit and 5 MDR patients. The patients are being administered free diagnosis and treatment,” he said. DRCHO Dr L Lollen, MS, Zonal Hospital Dr WA Singh called upon the villagers to participate in eradicating the menace by 2025. A few recovered TB patients also shared their experiences and appealed all not to stigmatise the infected persons.

District Health Society, NTEP, Upper Siang observed the World TB Day at Government Upper Primary School, Yingkiong and five Ayushman Bharat Health & Wellness Centres namely Simong, Komkar, Ramsing, Janbo and Migging.
At the district headquarters, ZPM Geku Nyong Panyang launched the ‘Handbook on Tuberculosis for Elected Representatives’ in presence of District Medical Officer Dr Dubom Bagra, teachers and students. District TB Officer Dr Ahik Miyu spoke on various aspects of TB. Earlier on the day, a panel discussion on TB in local dialect was released by the DTO on social media platforms like YouTube and WhatsApp. At the Ayushman Health & Wellness Centres, the event was hosted by the respective Community Health Officers (CHOs) and the above handbook was launched by the PRI leaders.
At HWC Simong, a lady TB conqueror shared her experiences of ailment and recovery.
In Tawang, the District Tuberculosis Centre under NTEP observed the day at Health and Wellness Centre, CHC Lungla.
Healthcare workers along with ASHAs, Anganwadi workers, teachers and students of Lungla Upper Primary School participated in the event. DTO, DHS, NTEP Dr Urgen Lhamu gave a PowerPoint Presentation on TB, its mode of transmission, symptoms, duration of treatment, comorbidities etc. Reminding all about the GoI target to eliminate the disease from the country by 2025, she urged for active collective participation by citizens in its control.
Medical Officer of the CHC Dr Tsering Penjor was also present on the occasion.
District Health Society, Tirap observed the World TB Day at Government Higher Secondary School, Khonsa.
Deputy Commissioner Taro Mize, Dy. Director (WCD) Hacham Bangsia, CDPO, Khonsa Block N. Matey, various ZPMs, Principal I/c of the school R.S. Mishra and Medical Officer-in-Charges of the district’s hospitals, medical officers, officials of the Health Department, teachers and students participated. Besides deliberating on the importance of the day, District Medical Officer Dr N. Lowang also appealed to the PRI members and students to encourage people to take the dual Covishield doses for keeping safe from Covid.
District TB Officer Dr J. Thingnok through a PPT on TB explained the causes, diagnosis and treatment protocols. Appealing all to keep faith in NTEP, she informed that it is possible to eliminate TB as it can be diagnosed with Sputum Microscopy, TRUENAT and CBNAAT methods. A number of TB victors present in the programme shared the experiences of their journeys to complete recovery. Some of the sincere, dedicated and hardworking staff of NTEP, ASHAs and Anganwadi workers along with the Missionaries of Charity who have been working untiringly for the TB infected persons over the years were awarded on the occasion.
T-shirts and booklets were distributed as part of the TB awareness campaign by the DTO. With DIPRO inputs