State observes World TB Day
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 24 2024:
The State Tuberculosis (TB) cell alone cannot make Manipur a TB free State, said Special Secretary of Health and Family Haobam Rosita and underscored the need of the people in raising awareness about the challenges in controlling the disease.
As in other parts of the world, Manipur also observed World TB Day 2024 at JNIMS, Porompat today.
The programme was jointly organised by National TB Elimination Programme and National Health Mission Manipur under the theme "Yes We Can End TB".
Speaking as the chief guest, Rosita who is also the Project Director of Manipur State Aids Control Society (MACS) continued that the World TB Day is observed every year to show solidarity to people living with TB and to raise awareness about the bacterial infection.
People take lightly to diseases which are curable like TB and it is unwise, she added.
Saying that India has set a target to eradicate TB by 2025, Rosita said and sought support from the people to achieve the target.
The State TB cell alone cannot make Manipur a TB free State, the Project Director of MACS reiterated and added that involvement of people is imperative to eradicate the bacterial infection.
She went on to appeal to the people to consult doctors if he/she shows symptoms of TB.
Delivering the presidential speech, Health Director Dr O Sanahanbi Devi said that Manipur currently has 1269 notified TB patients of which 56 are drug resistant cases.
She stated that most people with TB disease will need to take TB medicine for at least 6 months to be cured.
Medical Superintendent of JNIMS Dr Kh Lokeshwar Singh and WHO National Consultant, Central TB Division Sofia Khumukcham were the guests of honour.