Encouraging tidings against TB
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 24, 2013 Like in other parts of the world 'World TB (Tuberculosis) Day' observance was also held in the State with the main event organised jointly by the Medical Directorate, Manipur State TB Society and District TB Control Societies, Imphal East and West at the conference hall of JNIMS today.

The 32nd edition of the global observance held this year under the theme 'Zero Death from TB in my Lifetime', with the slogan 'Zero death from TB in my lifetime, Universal access to TB care, a world free of TB', was attended by Principal Secretary (Health & Family Welfare) Ram Muivah and Director of Health Services Dr A Bijoy Singh as the chief guest and president respectively.

Director (JNIMS) Dr L Chandramani Singh, State Mission Director (NRHM) Dr O Ibomcha Singh and Deputy Commissioner (IE) RK Dinesh Singh also attended the observance as the guests of honour.

As part of the observance RK Dinesh (IAS) flagged off a rally, participated by recovered TB patients, from DC Office Complex, Porompat to JNIMS Hospital.

In his address as the chief guest, Ram Muivah stated that from being one of the most feared and easily infectious diseases some decades back, TB infection is totally curable due to significant progress made in medical science.

Compared to about 48,108 persons recorded as suffering from TB in the State some years back, only about 19,000 people are yet to be fully cured, said the bureaucrat while affirming that the Government is committed to ensuring total cure of the TB-infected people.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr A Bijoy pointed out that early diagnosis and prompt treatment of TB infection are essential for an individual to get rid of the disease.

Inspite of availability of highly reliable TB detection apparatus and effective medicines delay in undertaking treatment procedures would only endanger the patient's life, he cautioned.

According to Dr L Chandramani, role of service providers in curing TB patients is foremost as the treatment procedures entails timely medication.

Apart from recovered TB patients and DOT providers sharing their respective experiences, the observance also had a session of administering TB medicines to the patients.

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