100-Day TB campaign launched in six districts
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, December 07 2024:
Health and Family Welfare/IPR Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh launched the intensified 100-Day TB Campaign for six districts, namely Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi, Chandel and Churachandpur districts, at Hotel Classic Grande here on Saturday.
The launching event was jointly organised by Directorate of Health Services, National Health Mission, National TB Elimination Programme & State TB Cell, Manipur, as part of the nationwide launch in 347 districts by Union Health Minister JP Nadda at Panchkula, Haryana on the same day.
Speaking as the chief guest of the function, minister Sapam Ranjan Singh emphasised that Tuberculosis (TB) is now a treatable disease.
He acknowledged persistent challenges in certain geographical areas of Manipur, such as lack of medicines and difficulties in reaching remote regions.
He called for urgent attention to resolve these challenges to ensure uninterrupted treatment that is accessible for all.
Reflecting on TB screening methods, he recalled the inconveniences faced according to NHRL, pointing to the logistic challenges in hard-to-reach areas.
In regions where even two-wheeler vehicles cannot traverse, the delivery of healthcare resources becomes a significant obstacle, he noted.
The minister highlighted the progress made in diagnostics, with limited X-ray machines, especially in remote areas like Nungba, where accessibility issues persist.
Portable X-ray machines are required in good numbers to bridge these gaps, he added, and informed that the government currently has 53 digitised x-ray machines.
Dr Ranjan also underscored the power of teamwork in pursuing the success of the campaign, through collective effort and added that we can eliminate TB, providing timely treatment, and save lives.
Teamwork will be the backbone of our success in this mission, he remarked.
In her speech, State TB officer Hemlata Thokchom said that TB is a communicable disease and added that a global target had been set to eliminate TB from the world by 2030, and by 2025 for India.
As such, the campaign is being launched to ensure the success of this campaign, she conveyed.
The launch was followed by felicitation of Nikshay Mitra, distribution of food baskets, and felicitation of TB Champions.
The minister also flagged off Ni-kshay Vahan and launched a Medical Mobile Van.
As a part of the occasion, a visit to Nikshay Shivir & interaction with beneficiaries were also held.
The programme was also attended by Health & Family Welfare special secretary Hungyo Worshang, Health Services director Dr Chambo Golmei, NHM, Manipur state mission director Dr M Dinesh Singh, and NHRL advisor A Shrivastava as president and guests of honour respectively, among others.