Kohima, March 24 (MExN): Based on the theme of ‘Unite to end TB’, the Kohima District TB Control Society under the establishment of the Chief Medical Officer, Kohima district, observed ‘World TB Day’ with the community of Sendenyu village at the Village Panchayat hall on March 24.
Dr. Asunu Sakhrie, District TB Officer, Kohima, while welcoming the participants, stated that TB is completely curable with the right treatment and appealed the community to spread awareness about it.
Delivering the keynote address on the theme, Dr. Kezholenu Sakhrie, Chest Specialist Naga Hospital Authority Kohima stated that TB is an infectious disease and is spread through the air by a person suffering from TB and elaborated on the symptoms of TB. She stated that suffering from TB should not be a stigma as it can infect anyone. Instead seeking early diagnosis and treatment should be a priority as it can be completely cured if taken at the right dose and for the adequate amount of duration.
Neiphrelie, DOTS PLUS Supervisor, RNTCP program, informed about the benefits of DOTS and DOTS Plus treatments and informed them about the different facilities available free of cost whether it be for diagnosis or for complete treatment and urged the villagers to avail them in the District Tuberculosis Centre (DTC) at Kohima and at the Designated Microscopic Centers (DMCs) in the district.
During the voluntary speech session, Chairman of Sendenyu village, thanked the Department for organizing the program in the village and said that many TB patients of the village had benefited from the TB treatment programme.
Earlier, the ASHAs of Sendenyu and Thongsunyu village, one cured TB patient and the Village Council chairman along with two Gaonburas were felicitated and given gift hampers to acknowledge their efforts in the fight against TB. Students from Sendenyu Government High School participated in the essay competition on the theme, ‘Unite to end TB’ and were given prizes for the best three essays.
During the program, interaction was held with the participants where questions regarding transmission, symptoms, myths and misconceptions about the TB disease were asked and clarified.
After the programme, the Kohima Mobile ICTC conducted voluntary testing of HIV for 41 people from the village. General check up was also done for 30 patients by the two doctors.
