Calls for concerted effort to eliminate disease by 2025 as Nagaland observes World TB Day

Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 25

Nagaland today joined the rest of the world in observing World TB Day under the theme “Yes! We Can End TB” with calls for concerted effort to eliminate TB by 2025.

In a state level programme held at 10th NAP (IR) Zhadima in Kohima district, Dr Akuo Sorhie, Director (Health), Directorate of Health & Family Welfare (DH&FW) said that India is committed to eliminate TB by 2025– five years ahead of Sustainable Development Goal 3.3.

“Therefore, we need political will, support and political leadership,” she insisted and also sought cooperation and active involvement of the communities, civil societies and every individual “as we continue in this race towards TB elimination by 2025.”

Stating that there is significant scale up in accessibility to diagnostic facilities and treatment services, she said “Therefore if you have any sign or symptoms of TB, do not wait to get tested and get treatment on time.”

She said that TB is still one of the world’s deadliest diseases and that in recent years, the world have seen an alarming increase in drug –resistant TB but there are also people behind the curtain who are fighting round the clock to keep the people healthy and safe from TB.
“Let us take a pledge in our hearts to take the task of fighting this preventable and curable disease as one’s individual responsibility- so that we can together create a TB free state for our people to live in,” Dr Sorhie added.

‘Vision for End TB strategy’
D Vezokholu Theyo, State TB Officer (NTEP), DH&FW said that the vision for “End TB Strategy” envisages a world of “zero deaths, disease, and suffering due to tuberculosis.”

Stressing on India’s commitment to eliminate TB by 2025, she said the target timeline appears to be ambitious, but several policy decisions, strategies and newer initiatives have been put into force to scale up the elimination efforts.

The effort is guided by National Strategic Plan (NSP: 2017-2025) that outlines bold strategies through the four approaches of “Detect, Treat, Prevent & Build” along with other several innovative steps in program implementation.

Dr Theyo said that Nagaland along with the rest of country is pacing for the End TB efforts towards achieving the target in line with the strategic plan.

“The target by the year 2025 was established taking the year 2015 as the baseline, where one of the main goals is to “reduce in TB incidence rate by 80%,” she said.

TB prevalence rate in Nagaland
The State TB Officer further noted that the findings of National TB Prevalence Survey in India (2019 to 2021) showed that TB was found to be much more prevalent in India than previously thought.

The prevalence of ‘microbiologically confirmed Pulmonary TB in ≥15 years age was 316 per lakh population’ and prevalence of ‘all forms of TB for all ages in India was 312 per lakh population’ as per the survey.

The survey combined the prevalence rate for the entire North-East including Nagaland which was 276 & 274 per lakh population for ≥ 15 years age and all forms of TB for all ages respectively, which was slightly lower than the national average, she informed. 

In Nagaland, the TB cases notified in 2023 were 86% against the allotted target of 5000, she said adding “This also translates to notification rate of about 204 per lakh population (active TB cases were 4284 in 2023).”

There was an increasing trend in the TB case notification from 2714 (2017) to achieving the peak of 4845 in 2019 or 235 per lakh population in 2019. 

Of all the TB notified cases (2023) in Nagaland, the burden of TB cases in Dimapur was the highest which comprises of 48% with a notification rate of 508 per lakh population (Nagaland= 204 per lakh population).  Longleng was the lowest burden district with TB case notification of 1.14% against the total notified in Nagaland with a notification rate of 91 per lakh population.

‘4400 people lose their lives to TB each day’

Also speaking at the programme, Dr Collins Z. Sono, Medical Consultant WHO, said that TB remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious killers.

“Each day, close to 4400 people lose their lives to TB and close to 30,000 people fall ill with this preventable and curable disease and more so among young people.” he said.

He informed that global efforts to combat TB have saved an estimated 75 million lives since the year 2000.

As per the latest global TB report 2023, India contributes 26% (2.8m) of the new cases and 30% of deaths in the world, he added.

India also has the highest estimated burden of tuberculosis infection (TBI) globally, with nearly 35-40 crore Indian population having TBI.

Touching on the theme,  Dr Sono said that it conveyed a message of hope that getting back-on-track to turn the tide against the TB epidemic is possible through high level leadership, increased investments and faster uptake of new WHO recommendations.

“We will need everyone support-political leaders, civil society, donors, researchers, TB communities, the private sector,” he said and called upon each and every individual to come forward and commit to making change happen.

Meanwhile, Joseph Thongliu, Deputy Commandant 10th NAP (IR) Thizama thanked the medial department for creating awareness to the battalion jawans. TB champion Neilakie-ii shared her victory’s journey from TB. 
Observance across Nagaland 
Meanwhile, the day was observed across the district headquarters with stresses on the theme, “Yes! We Can End TB.”  

Longleng: It was observed at CMO Conference Hall Longleng where Dr Temsusashi DTO where he briefed about the Prime Ministers commitment to eliminate TB from India by the year 2025.

Short speeches were given byVitolu Chishi EAC Hq Longleng and Tongang Phom, STS.

Testimony was given by Lily, a TB Champion, who encouraged the gathering not to stigmatise TB patient.  She share on  how she was openly welcomed by her family and loved ones and it was because of their love , encouragement and support she was cured.
A total 19 villages under Longleng were presented with certificates and momentos of TB Mukt Panchayat 2023 by the EAC Hq Longleng. 
Peren: The NTEP Peren organised an event at PTWWO Hall to mark the occasion where Deptuy CMO Dr Lanuakum Aier shared about the significance of the day.  He briefed the TB data of Peren district and highlighted schemes like Nikshay Poshan Yojyana and Nikshay Mitras. 
It also included sharing by Japheth Woch, ADC Peren and by a TB Champion.. 

Presentation of mementos was given to Mukt Panchayat villages while free IEC materials were distributed.
Kohima: The CMO Kohima observed the day at NHAK, Auditorium where the significant of the day was shared by DTO, Dr Chibenthung Kithan. A TB Champion also shared his testimony.

Kiruphema Bawe under Sechu block, Phekerkriema Bawe & Seiyha Phesa under Chiephobozou block were felicitated on the occasion while winner of one-minute video challenge on “Contribution of HWC for TB free India by 2025 under all District of the State’ were conferred certificate and cash.

Rukusanu Rhetso, CHO Pfuchama HWC under Jakhama block won the challenge while Kelezono Mor, CHO Daklane HWC under Urban and Neikonuo, CHO Peducha HWC under Sechu block were gioven consolation prizes. 

James T Khulu Tikhir, SDO (Civil) Kohima also urged every individual to come together to end TB. 

Phek:  Phek joined the observance the event at Dr Wethselo Memorial Hall, District Hospital with Tsulise Sangtam Deputy Commissioner as the guest speaker, who urged the participants to come forward and support the TB patients and free the district from disease.

Dr Ebenezer Phesao announced the TB Mukt Panchayat villages and certificates along with Gandhi’s statue were given to 34 villages by the DC. 

Dr Pritpal Kaur Batra SP Phek in her keynote has affirmed that we can achieve 100% free TB village if the community leaders, village chairmen, societies etc. come forward and support the patients to take timely and regular treatment. 

Sede Rupreo DPM NHM highlighted on Nikshay Mitra Journey and its objective and  informed that 40 TB patients are yet to get Nikshay Mitra and appealed the participants to come forward. Col Chundawat Prashant Singh SC Commandant, 38th Assam Rifles stressed on  knowing  the signs and symptoms of TB, staying healthy, getting regular checkup and maintaining a good immune system.

Zunheboto: With Deputy Commissioner, Zunheboto Rahul Bhanudas Mali as the special guest, the World TB Day  was observed at Under CMO Office, Zunheboto.

Speaking on the occasion, the DC advocated for early intervention and detection must to fight against TB
Dr H MlatoShikhu DTO Zunheboto highlighted on the significance of the day and informed that two villages- Tokiye and Ghathashi under Zunheboto were declared as TB Free Village.

Dr K Akaho Sema Deputy CMO also spoke on the occasion and highlighted that diagnostic support are available and provided free of cost in order to eliminate TB. 
Currently 22 patients are diagnosed with TB in the district, he added. TB free villages were felicitated with cash and certificates.