Nagaland to observe World TB Day 2016 on March 24
Mokokchung, March 17 (MExN): Nagaland Users Network (NUN) conducted a sensitization meeting on Tuberculosis at Mokokchung and Wokha town on March 14 and 15 respectively.
A press note stated that the programme was facilitated by Ketho, Coordinator NUN and a member of the global Community advisory Board (TB CAB) who highlighted the basic route of TB transmission, diagnostics and treatment and mentioned about the need for more response from the NGOs and Civil Society Groups in addressing this public health issue.
The Coordinator NUN said that in India, inspite of the RNTCP implementing its program since 1997, India continue to be the highest burden of TB in the world which signifies the total failure of the programme. In Nagaland, the cases of Regular TB and MDR TB also show a considerable increase both in detection and treatment while lauding the State RNTCP division for their commendable achievement.
Ketho also spoke on some of the present challenges like Non release of Funds in time, Lack of proper diagnostics facilities, lack of Treatment for XDRTB cases etc, and the need for conducting mass public awareness and sensitization meetings at the grass root level, thereby engaging all sections of the community to partner together and unite to end TB in Nagaland. He said, “Unless the civil society is not part of decision making on policies surrounding TB, it is very unlikely that the program will be successful.”
He also mentioned about the upcoming World TB Day 2016 on March 24 at the state Level and also further encouraged the NGOs, Drug Users and the other participants to collaborate with their District TB programme officers in observing the global event.
