TB campaign launched in 6 districts
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 07 2024: Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan has launched 'Intensified 100 Day TB Campaign' for six districts at Hotel Classic Grande at Chingmeirong, today.

The event was jointly organised by the Directorate of Health Services, National Health Mission & State TB Cell.

The six districts where the campaign will take place are Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching, Chandel, Kangpokpi and Churachandpur.

Speaking as the chief guest, Dr Ranjan appealed to health officials to work with commitment so as to make the 100 days campaign successful.

He said that any initiative, mission or policy taken up by the Government to overcome health challenges won't succeed if the officers don't work sincerely right from the grassroots level.

The Minister, meanwhile, said that he is disappointed to see no district TB officers attending the launch programme of the important campaign .

Only one Chief Medical Officer attended the programme, he said and added that seriousness on the part of the officers and staff is a prerequisite to make the undertaking of the Government meaningful.

Tuberculosis (TB) is now a curable disease.

Saying that there still are challenges in diagnosing and treating TB in remote areas such as lack of medicines, he maintained that seriousness on the part of health officials is needed to overcome the challenges.

The representatives from Centre who are coming to monitor the campaign need to know the challenges being faced in Manipur in combating TB, he continued.

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 essential in good numbers to bridge these gaps, he added.

Dr Ranjan also underscored the importance of teamwork in ensuring the campaign's success through collective effort.

"Teamwork will be the backbone of our success in this mission", he remarked.

Health Director Dr Chambo Golmei said that spreading community awareness on TB is needed to stop the bacterial infection.

State TB Officer Dr Hemlata said that there is a global plan to end TB as a public health challenge by 2030.Saying that India, on the other hand, plans to end TB by 2025, Dr Hemlata appealed to all health officials and staff to work with devotion to achieve the goal.

Launching of the campaign was followed by felicitation of Ni-kshay Mitra, distribution of food baskets, felicitation of TB champions.

The Minister also flagged off Ni-kshay Vahan and launched a medical mobile van.

Ni-Kshay is the web enabled patient management system for TB control under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) .

Special Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Hungyo Worshang, State Mission of NHM Dr M Dinesh Singh and J advisor NHRL A Shrivastava also attended the programme.

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