TB curable, treatment is free: EKH officer reassures public

SHILLONG, Jan 23: East Khasi Hills district currently has 556 Tuberculosis (TB) patients undergoing treatment, with a success rate of 85%, underscoring that TB is both treatable and curable with proper care.
This was highlighted by East Khasi Hills TB Officer Dr Bayarilin Shanpru during an awareness campaign on TB held at Lower Lumparing here on Thursday. She also emphasised that free treatment is available at all government health facilities.
Shanpru, in her keynote address, highlighted the government’s commitment to eliminating TB by 2025, a goal set by both the central and state governments.
She elaborated on government initiatives, including the Nikshay Mitra programme, which encourages potential donors to provide additional patient support through food baskets. These efforts aim to improve treatment outcomes by addressing the nutritional needs of TB patients during their recovery.
Shanpru further introduced the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (PMTBMBA), a new initiative aimed at intensifying efforts to eliminate TB nationwide.
Lumparing UPHC Medical Officer-in-Charge, Dr BR Garod, discussed the significance of TB and its impact on society. She explained the symptoms of TB, which include coughing (with or without blood) for more than two weeks, fever, weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, night sweats, chest pain, lumps in various parts of the body, and chronic illness. She encouraged community members not to fear but to come forward for screening if they exhibit these symptoms.
The campaign aims to strengthen programmatic activities to improve TB outcomes across the country. Its objectives include increasing case detection through intensified case-finding drives, leveraging advanced screening and diagnostic technologies, and reducing delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation.
Andrew Marbaniang, a TB champion who successfully recovered from the disease, shared his testimony during the program. He spoke about the importance of timely and proper treatment, citing his own recovery as an example. Marbaniang encouraged TB patients to adhere to their treatment plans, stating, “Together, we can achieve a TB-free society.”
The event was part of the 100-Day Intensified TB Campaign, which focuses on TB sensitisation and screening for vulnerable populations.