Kohima, March 15 (MExN): The National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) conducted its Annual Review meeting on March 12 at the IDSP Conference Hall, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Kohima. Wezope Kenye, Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department was the special invitee during the meeting.
State TB Officer, Dr Robin Lotha highlighted about the Programme’s performance based on eight parameters such as TB notification, Nikshay Poshan Yojana, Universal Drug Sensitivity Testing, screening for HIV among TB patients Treatment Success Rate, DR TB patients on shorter regime, Fund utilisation etc. He also stressed that quarterly review meetings should be held regularly and the best performing district will be awarded at the year end based on the parameters.
Districts were also asked to identify cured TB Patients as TB champions at all the blocks. The TB Champions will be trained to engage in various activities of the Programme such as peer counseling, treatment adherence, community meetings etc, a press release from the State TB Officer. The importance of Active Case Finding activity was stressed upon by the State TB Officer.
Wezope Kenye, Secretary, Health & Family Welfare requested all the Districts TB Officers to be committed and to be present in their places of posting. He also appreciated the Government of India’s efforts in providing various incentives and monetary benefits to the TB patients and supporters.
Mission Director NHM, Dr Kevichusa Medikhru who graced the meeting reminded the staff about the target of eliminating TB by 2025 and the need to put all efforts in achieving the Programme Indicators as set by the Centre. He also requested the Districts TB Officers to have effective monitoring and supervision plan in place.
The State Annual performance for 2019 was highlighted by Dr Palash Talukdar, WHO Consultant, North East– NTEP. Among the districts, Wokha, Kohima and Peren were among the top performers.
On the following day, training on All Oral Longer Regimen Roll Out was held for the District TB Officers, Senior MOs, PMDT Supervisors and the staff at the state level. It may be mentioned here that for the Drug Resistant TB Patients, an injection free all oral regimen can now be administered to the eligible patients, the release stated.
Towards the end of the training programme, the districts were given a preview of the upcoming initiatives to be undertaken in the coming year such as TB Hareega Desh Jeetega campaign, Multi sectoral collaboration, TB Free Blocks, Latent TB Infection plans etc.
