Absence of TB officer hindering prog implementation
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kakching, April 29 2025: The absence of a District TB Officer has become a major hurdle in the effective implementation of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) in Kakching district, according to NTEP, Kakching district coordinator P Purnajit.

Speaking at a media sensitisation programme on TB elimination held Tuesday at the District TB Centre, CHC Kakching, Purnajit expressed concerned that the district is severely under-resourced compared to other districts.

While the national target aims to eliminate TB by 2025, Kakching - being a newly created district - has only six staff at its TB Centre, far below the 15 to 20 personnel generally assigned to other district centres.

Absence of TB officer hindering prog implementation

There is no District TB Officer for Kakching, a serious issue in carrying forward the programme effectively, he said.

He added that although the centre has been carrying out multiple initiatives despite the shortage, having at least 70 per cent of the required staff strength would substantially improve implementation.

Sharing district data, Purnajit said Kakching recorded 100 TB cases in 2022, 95 in 2023, and 116 in 2024 .

So far, 35 cases have been detected this year.

He maintained that all patients are receiving the recommended treatment, medication, and nutrition under the programme guidelines.

Purnajit also highlighted that staff of the centre have adopted TB patients under a community support initiative and are actively conducting awareness campaigns to bring in active cooperation from civil society organisations and elected local leaders.

Urging the public to end stigma around TB, he emphasised that the disease is curable with timely and targeted intervention.

He encouraged people to be vigilant for symptoms such as perSistent cough lasting more than two weeks, fatigue, chest pain, evening fever, and a history of TB in the family.

"In case of such symptoms, please visit the District TB Centre for free testing and treatment," he appealed.

He further informed that a TB testing centre equipped with modern diagnostic kits has also been installed at CHC Sugnu to enhance accessibility in the region.

District health visitor Puyam Deepa Devi also attended the programme, which was organised by the District Health Society, Kakching.