Wokha district records decline in TB cases

ADC, Dy CMO with members of District TB Forum during the meeting held at DC Conference Hall on August 3. (Photo Courtesy: CMO office Wokha)

Wokha, August 3 (MExN): The District Health Society of Wokha held a District Tuberculosis (TB) Forum meeting at DC Conference Hall on August 3. 

A press release issued by the CMO office Wokha informed that Dr.  Benchilo Ngullie, DTO Wokha stated that the objective of TB Forum was to supplement government initiatives to enforce TB patient- friendly law, policy and programmes. It also aims to engage in evidence base advocacy with the stakeholders to expand services.

 
She highlighted that there was a decline in TB cases across the district due to the availability of free medicines and testing centres in the health units. The DTO informed that ongoing activities related to TB were active case findings in Chukitong area and surveys conducted in Wozhuro area. “Community participation is vital to detect TB patients and provide them with free treatment,” she added.

The meeting was chaired by K. Mathung Tsanglao,  ADC Wokha who stressed on the importance of creating awareness on TB in the form of addressing issues of social stigma attached to TB patients, the availability of incentives for TB patients and coming out with pamphlets in vernacular language to educate people in rural areas.  He further stated that the district should focus on achieving the target of declaring two blocks as TB free by 2020. NGOs and civil society members present in the meeting said that street plays and wall paintings were effective in creating awareness and urged members to contribute ideas for such projects. Some of the cured TB shared their personal experiences related to social stigma of the disease and their effort in spreading awareness among suspected TB patients.

The meeting was attended by Dy CMO, DPO, cured TB patients, leaders of civil societies and NGOs.