Nagaland: Increasing participation towards TB eradication

Handbook on ‘TB Harega, Desh Jeetega’ for elected representatives launched

Morung Express News
Kohima | October 16 

With a target set to identify 5000 tuberculosis (TB) cases in the state in 2020, a handbook on ‘TB Harega, Desh Jeetega’ for elected representatives was launched for proactive engagement of the members to intensify awareness, advocacy and mobilisation among the populace.

In 2019, the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) Nagaland was ranked the 2nd best performing state in the smaller state category (below 50 lakh population) at the national level. According to the data provided by NTEP, during 2019 the state achieved 86% success rate of the TB programme by covering 4,802 patients across the state, way above the set target of 4,400.

Launching the handbook in his office chamber this afternoon, Minister for Health, S Pangnyu Phom said TB continues to put a heavy burden on the poor and vulnerable population. 

Consequently, responding to the Government of India’s call to end TB by 2025, Phom said, the NTEP Nagaland with the support of the government aims to reduce TB burden in terms of incidence, prevalence, morbidity and mortality to make the state free from tuberculosis in line with the national strategic plan.

The Minister informed that the state is also expected to carry out the campaign for the purpose of engaging its elected representatives in supporting the efforts of TB programme in the state.

To achieve ‘TB free India’, Phom informed that NTEP has expanded its facilities with the state of art molecular diagnosis, availability of free treatment for both drugs sensitive and drug resistant TB cases, nutritional assistance to patients through NIKSHAY Poshan Yojana (NPY) and financial schemes to reduce cost of treatment.

While Nagaland’s target for 2020 is to identify 5000 TB patients, State TB Officer (NTEP), Dr. Robin Lotha informed that the programme has been hampered for 7-8 months due to COVID-19 pandemic. 

While 60% of the set target has been covered, he admitted that it would not be possible to achieve the target in the next 2-3 months, and the timeline would have to be extended by a few months.

From January to September, 2,548 TB patients have been notified, with the highest number in Dimapur (1036) followed by Kohima (414), Mon (365), Tuensang (191), Mokokchung (135), Zunheboto (85), Wokha (81), Phek (79), Peren (74), Kiphire (53), and Longleng (35).

State IEC Officer (NTEP), Thungchanbeni M Humtsoe informed that the main purpose of the handbook is to bring proactive engagement for more elected representatives such as MLAs, members of Zila Parishad, VDB members and Gram Panchayat/Gram Sabha towards addressing social stigma associated with TB and to promote advocacy and community involvement.

Humtsoe articulated that the MPs and MLAs can help in the fight against TB by adopting localities in their respective constituencies and pledging to make them TB free.

She said the engagement of MPs and MLAs can help identify and scale up a lot of positive innovations on TB detection and care, and can also nurture local community leadership to improve access to health care and create patient support systems.

The MPs, she said can help reach out to media to spread positive messages on TB and build stronger network of influencers for TB programme while the visit by elected representatives to their constituencies and meeting with health workers, community leaders, religious leaders and beneficiaries will provide insight into challenges faced by patients, field staff and people at large.

Further, the elected members can make everyone aware about the identification of TB symptoms and availability of TB care services by leading the initiative taken by District TB Forums and also talk about the need and commitment for fighting TB in their public speeches.

They can also support TB champions in their respective areas, so that they can play active role in counselling TB patients, said Humtsoe. She expressed optimism that all high ranking officials and elected representatives will do their part in fighting against TB.