Dimapur, August 26 (MExN): The Nagaland Users’ Network (NUN) has urged the State Government to take up extra initiatives in curbing the menace of Tuberculosis (TB) in Mon and Tuensang districts since both are high TB prevalent districts.
NUN in partnership with Mon Users’ Network, Integrated Development Society and CHAI Axshyaa program, Mon and Tuensang, conducted treatment literacy programs on Tuberculosis in Mon on August 20 and in Tuensang on August 24.
Government staff working with tuberculosis program in the state, NGOs, and the community participated in the workshops, a press release from the NUN informed.
Resource person Renbonthung, Advocacy Officer for NUN, oriented the participants on the basics of tuberculosis and also discussed IPT, MDRTB and XDRTB.
Session on TB/HIV and related complications were also discussed during the workshop. Basic testing and diagnostics like sputum microscopy, CBNAAT, x-ray and other test required for TB were part of the topics discussed.
NUN made a stopover at Tobu sub divisional headquarters and convened a meeting with the stakeholders there. Representatives from the Konyak Union, KNSK, school authorities, DBs and political groups attended the meeting where they shared the seriousness of TB in Tobu area and further informed of the non-functioning DMC in Tobu, the release stated.
Citing reliable sources as mentioning that the DTO, Mon is taking extra initiative and has started the process of reviving the centre, NUN acknowledged the DTO, Mon, but further requested the authorities to accelerate the process as majority of cases referred to Aboi centre or Mon DTC are from Tobu area.
During its visit to the RNTCP program in Tuensang, NUN expressed disappointment to find that the supervisor, DOTs plus supervisor and the nurse were not around except for the statistical assistant who was there at the dispensing room. NUN further informed that following the departure of the previous District Tuberculosis officer, the district has been left without a DTO for some time.
Earlier the district had an additional MO to assist the district RNTCP considering the number of TB cases in the district, but due to some unknown reason, that provision also has been removed, the NUN lamented.
In this regard, NUN has called upon the government to “seriously consider” the matter as urgent. It also requested the concern authorities to intervene as both Mon and Tuensang districts are high prevalent TB areas.
