Officials and participants during the state-level orientation workshop on tobacco control at Kohima on July 3.
Kohima, July 4 (MExN): The National Tobacco Control Program with the support of ‘Vital Strategies’ recently conducted a state-level orientation workshop on tobacco control at Kohima on July 3. The workshop was intended for Program - District Nodal Officers and staffs.
Dr Akuo Sorhie, Mission Director, National Health Mission, Dr Meribeni Odyuo, Director Dental, and Dr Rana J Singh, Director, Tobacco Control, South East Asia, Vital Strategies were the guests of honours for the workshop.
The event was chaired by Dr Reyosalu Lase Vizo, Dy Dir & SPO, NOHP. Dr Meribeni Odyuo, Director Dental, in her opening address called for joining the crucial journey and to equip themselves with skills and resources to combat these menace and be catalyst for change. She also exhorted them on their roles and responsibilities and form comprehensive group to address this issue.
Dr Rana J Singh in his keynote address, said tobacco use is a disease and more than 6 lakh people are diseases as per WHO definition and GATS survey. He urged the Districts and State to assess the implementation of NTCP. To combat this menace we need multi stakeholder engagement, role of policy makers, role of enforcement officers to enforce tobacco control law, in addition, tobacco cessation are the key to combat this menace.
Dr Akuo Sorhie in her special remarks expressed gratitude to Vital Strategies for the support over the many years. She also exhorted that, building capacities is one of the steps to strengthen our health systems. Tobacco Control and Oral Health care are essential components of comprehensive primary health care, and each one of us should be inspired by the progress we’ve achieved and driven by the work that remains ahead.
Dr Rana J Singh and Renu Sharma, Project manager- Tobacco Control, Vital Strategies and Dr Chiekroshuyi Tetseo, Director Dental (Retd) were the speakers for the workshop. The agendas during the workshop were- epidemiology of tobacco use, NTCP MIS, COTPA 2003, Tobacco Vendor Licensing, Tobacco Cessation and TOFEI initiative guidelines.
Dr Arenla Walling, State Nodal Officer of NTCP presented on the NTCP guidelines and Progress of NTCP. Mission Director, NHM gave away the certificates for best performing in the following categories, Dr Esther Chophy Ngullie, DNO of Mon DTCC was awarded best District Nodal Officer, Linoka K Awomi, DTCC Consultant was awarded the best consultant at State level, E Nyeamying Konyak, of Mon DTCC bagged the best Consultant, Temsuchila Walling of Kohima DTCC bagged the best Social Worker, and Tshope Ü Khutsoh of Wokha DTCC bagged best Psychologist.
Dr Rana and Renu also had a meeting with MD NHM to discuss tobacco control measures and visited the Tobacco Cessation Centre at NHAK, Kohima on July 2.
