Dimapur, March 24 (MExN): North East Institute of Social Science and Research (NEISSR), Dimapur, commemorated the World Tuberculosis Day under the theme ‘Unite to End TB’ at the NEISSR Conference Hall on March 24.
Liangamang Robert, Assistant Professor, stressed on the role of social worker in creating awareness particularly at three levels. He said that at the administrative level, management measures that are intended to reduce the risk or exposure to persons with infectious TB. Assigning someone the responsibility for TB infection control in the health care setting, conducting a TB risk assessment of the health setting, ensuring the availability of recommended laboratory processing, testing, and reporting of results etc can be some of the measure which can be taken up at the administrative level, he highlighted.
The second level of the hierarchy is the use of environmental controls to prevent the spread and reduce the concentration of infectious droplets through measures like controlling the source of infection by using local exhaust ventilation (e.g., hoods, tents, or booths), diluting and removing contaminated air by using general ventilation, controlling the airflow to preventing contamination of air in areas adjacent to the source airborne infection isolation; and cleaning the air by using high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration.
He also spoke on the use of respiratory-protection control which consists of implementing a respiratory protection program, training health care workers on respiratory protection; and educating patients on respiratory hygiene and the importance of cough etiquette procedures.
The trainees also presented on the history behind the commemoration of the World TB day, causes, symptoms and preventive measures for T.B. Through the presentation, the trainee dispelled the myths that are usually associated with the understanding of how Tuberculosis is spread and can be treated.
