Nagaland takes pledge for TB Free State by 2025

Our Correspondent
Kohima | December 3

Nagaland today joined Ni-Kshay Mitra Campaign under Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (PMTBMBA) in Kohima in the presence of Governor La Ganesan and took pledge in making Nagaland TB Free State by 2025.

In a programme held at Raj Bhavan, Kohima, the gathering through “TB Mukt Bharat” pledge, reaffirmed its commitment to eliminate Tuberculosis in Nagaland and work towards increasing awareness on TB among people.

“I will ensure that the people and families affected by Tuberculosis in my State receive the highest quality of care and support for leading healthy & dignified lives,” the gathering pledged, which was administered by Nagaland Tourism & Higher Education Minister, Temjen Imna Along.

The gathering also pledged to work together with elected representatives, government bodies and all stakeholders in enhancing equal access to TB care in the state.

Creating a TB-free Nagaland 
Addressing the gathering, Ganesan said that India is home to the highest number of TB cases, with approximately 28 lakh people affected annually. Stating that the economic burden and loss of lives are unacceptably high, especially affecting economically productive age group, he said “Therefore, this programme embodies our shared responsibility to safeguard our society's health and our nation’s prosperity.”

Stating that nutrition plays a pivotal role in the treatment of TB, he said “It’s a virtuous cycle where adequate nutrition enhances treatment efficacy and prevents the debilitating grasp of malnutrition-induced by TB itself.”

It is vital that patients receive comprehensive nutritional care alongside medical treatment, he said adding that research has shown that providing good nutrition to the households of TB patients can cut TB rates by over 50%.

Addressing the complexities of TB demands multi-sectoral response-collaborative partnerships across sectors are imperative to confront the social determinants such as nutrition, living and working conditions, while also increasing access to diagnostic and treatment services, Ganesan said.

While government efforts are bearing significant results, the task demands a collective efforts, he said adding that the community and societal institutions must step forward to bridge gaps, effectively contributing towards this national mission. “Recognizing this, our government has initiated the “Community Support to TB Patients” programme. This is not mere policy; it is a call to action where each entity in society, including individuals, corporations, cooperative institutions and political parties, government officials etc. can become a Ni-Kshay Mitra. The commitment ranging from a six-month minimum to three years maximum, offers supplemental patient support, enhances treatment outcomes, and strengthens community involvement,” the Governor said.

The Governor also urged all concerned to envision “how you can contribute—be it through CSR activities, institutional support, or personal involvement to achieving our national goal.

“Let us commit, to adopting TB patients from our respective localities, and disseminate the message of this noble cause far and wide,” he said adding that collaborative efforts will significantly complement the Government's strategy, accelerating a robust response against TB.
Also thanking all the concerned for their unwavering commitment to creating a TB-free Nagaland, and ultimately, a TB-free India, he said “Together, as a community driven by empathy and action, we can achieve our goal—a TB-Free India. Let’s pledge today to support this cause wholeheartedly.”

78 villages in Nagaland achieved TB Free status

Dr Akuo Sorhie, Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), Nagaland, said that the goal of the 'National Tuberculosis Elimination Program' is to achieve a rapid decline in the Incidence & Mortality rate of Tuberculosis.

She said that India has made huge strides in TB elimination efforts over the years.

Since 2015, the annual TB Incidence rate has declined by 18% and the Mortality rate has declined by 22% as of 2023.

In Nagaland, she said, the testing or screening for case detection has shown a double increase to 1475 per lakh population in 2023 as compared to only 752 per lakh population in 2021.

The TB cases notified in 2023 were 85% against the allotted target of 5000 & the success rate achieved was 89%, she said.

Of all the TB notified cases in 2023 in Nagaland, the burden of TB cases in Dimapur was the highest with 48% and Longleng lowest burden with 1.14%.

To end TB, early diagnosis & appropriate quality treatment are crucial, she said.

She said that Gol has expanded the 'TB prevention treatment' (or TPT) to all the household contacts of TB patients for all age groups, high risk groups and for people living with HIV.

Stating that poor nutrition & low immunity increases the risk of developing TB, she said “Therefore, with the objective to ensure Adequate Nutritional Support & to Reduce TB related morbidity & mortality, Gol has enhanced the Nutritional Assistance effective from Nov 2024 from Rs 500 to Rs 1000- per month for the entire duration of treatment through Nikshay Poshan Yojana to all TB patients.

Under Sub-National Certification (SNC) and TB free districts, districts are surveyed to measure the reduction in TB burden annually.

Well performing districts are incentivized & rewarded for achieving the targets. Currently, 5 districts in Nagaland; Dimapur, Peren, Longleng, Phek & Zunheboto had claimed for the bronze award for reduction in TB incidence rate by 20%.

For the year 2023, about 78 villages in Nagaland has achieved TB free status, she said.

410 donors in Nagaland for Nikshay Mitras

Dr Sorhie said that Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Abhiyan is being implemented to provide additional nutrition support to TB patients from willing donors called Nikshay Mitras.

The support can be in the form of once-a-month food baskets containing protein, cereals, oil & vitamin supplements for a minimum period of 6 months.

Currently, about 410 donors including, Governor of Nagaland, Ao Baptist Church in Dimapur & Mokokchung and several individuals had registered to support 1000 plus patients who are on treatment & in need of nutritional support.

“But we still need a lot more donors for those hundreds of patients still in the waiting lists to be supported,” she said.

Stating that the battle against TB is not yet over and that every single day, lives are lost to TB, she said “It is time for us to rise up & fight this fight together.”

“The need of the hour is political Will, Political Support & political Leadership. Our elected representatives represent our society & support from such mass leaders is critical at this juncture to combat & address TB aggressively,” she added.

We also need active participation through various Institutions, All Departments, all Stake Holders, Civil societies & everyone single individual, to positively impact lives even as we continue in this race towards TB Elimination in the Nation & in the state- Nagaland, she added.

Collaborative efforts required 

Nagaland Tourism & Higher Education Minister Temjen Imna Along said that TB remains one of the world's deadliest infectious killers with vast catastrophic impacts on families and communities.

Additionally, disparities exist and the socioeconomic inequities may place a heavy burden in the fight to end TB, especially to the most vulnerable population. It is to be mentioned that the 2030 SDG goal of ending TB was made ambitious for India when the Prime Minister gave a clarion call to end TB by 2025, 5 years ahead of the SDG targets, he said. “Ending TB requires the collaborative efforts and concerted action by all sectors to provide the right services, support and enabling safe environment in the right place and time,” he said.

He said that the PMTBMBA campaign under the National TB Elimination Programme make a call to the community at large for adopting TB patients and extending nutritional, diagnostic or vocational support to TB patients. “This in turn can play a critical role in filling gaps and addressing social determinants and thereby contributing to achievement of the national goal of TB Mukt Bharat. This initiative will increase the active involvement of society in the fight against tuberculosis,” the minister said.

Provision of additional support to the TB patient shall also result in the reduction of the out-of-pocket expenditure for the family of the TB patient and ultimately result in better treatment outcomes, he said.

The minister urged all concerned to “unite together and commit ourselves to join the fight for eliminating TB in Nagaland and also to sign a pledge to become a Nikshay Mitra (donor). 

Earlier, welcome address was delivered by Anoop Khinchi, commissioner & secretary Health & Family Welfare Nagaland while vote of thanks was proposed by Dr E Motsuthung Patton, Principal Director, Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland.