Kohima, March 24 (MExN): Based on the theme ‘Wanted: Leaders for a TB Free World’, the Kohima District TB Control Society under the establishment of the Chief Medical Officer, Kohima District, observed World TB Day at District TB & Chest diseases Hospital, Khuzama.
World TB Day is celebrated every year on March 24 to generate public awareness and mobilize political and social commitment for further progress towards eliminating TB as a public health burden
Dr Asunu Sakhrie, District TB Officer delivering the keynote address on the theme said that India bears the major burden of TB in the world comprising 28% of the world total. There are 1200 death in India everyday with 10 deaths every 3 minutes with this alarming figure spiralling overboard, India is committed to eliminating TB by 2025. “This cannot be done by health personnel alone or by political leaders alone but by everyone from all walks of life because TB is a public health concern,” Dr Asunu stated.
Dr Ritu Thur, Chief Medical Officer, Kohima highlighted on the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of TB. He reminded that TB is curable if one takes the medicines on time and for the complete duration. He said one should not have a laid back attitude but be equally concerned for the welfare of another in guiding and promoting awareness about TB.
Earlier a cured patient spoke about his journey on TB and how he has been cured and is now healthy. Voluntary speech was given by the GB of Khuzama Village.
Students from three schools participated in a poster competition about TB and the best 3 were given cash prizes. Five cured TB patients, the Head GB, the Youth Chairman and the Women Group of Khuzama village were felicitated and given gift hampers to acknowledge their efforts in the fight against TB. Gifts and food were also distributed among the indoor patients of the hospital. Altogether, 63 people participated in observing the World TB Day.
The DTO Kohima in a press release stated that few days prior to the World TB Day, Pharmacies were visited in and around Kohima town on one to one basis where they were given awareness on the importance of noting and listing H1 drugs of which TB drugs are included as notified by the Government of India. They were each given file with note sheets to note the patient’s name, the physician’s name, the name of the H1 drugs prescribed along with the amount and the date issued.
