100-day TB elimination campaign
Our Bureau
SHILLONG/NONGPOH, March 20: A national media team from New Delhi visited different health facilities located in different parts of the state to evaluate grassroots-level healthcare services and Tuberculosis (TB) detection initiatives and progress under the 100-day TB elimination campaign.
The tour was held under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
During the visit to Laitkor Sub-Centre Health and Wellness Centre, the delegation comprising representatives from DD News, ANI, PTI, Amar Ujala, The Hindu, News 24, and News 18, engaged with doctors, ASHA workers, ANM workers, and patients who shared their experiences and challenges.
The visit also included discussions with Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM) Meghalaya, Ramkumar S, who gave them an overview of the state’s TB elimination efforts.
The introduction of TrueNAT machines across the state has significantly enhanced early detection, increasing testing capacity. Through initiatives like PM Nikshay Mitras, TB patients have received essential support. The state government has introduced a comprehensive kit for TB patients and their families, ensuring better care and recovery with stringent focus on providing nutrition to patients.
Additionally, TB survivors are provided with skill development programs to help them reintegrate into society post-recovery.
He further emphasised that with continued efforts, TB occurrences have already declined, and the state is making steady progress this year with 10% of the total villages been declared TB free.
A key focus was on innovative portable diagnostic tools, including handheld sputum transformation devices and handheld X-ray machines. District TB Officer, East Khasi Hills, Dr B Shanpru, and Medical Officer for TB Control, Dr R Kharmih, provided insights into the ongoing healthcare challenges and the impact of the 100-day free TB campaign.
Notably, the Laitkor Sub-Centre has been recognised as a Mercury-Free Centre, reinforcing its commitment to safer healthcare practices.
State Coordinator, Meban Kharkongor, explained how healthcare workers transport these portable diagnostic devices to villages, significantly improving TB detection and early treatment access particularly in remote areas such as Bijasik Warinandal (East Garo Hills), Bone Megapre (Williamnagar), Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, Mawkriah, and Nongspung B (Ri Bhoi), among other remote villages.
The delegation also visited Reid Provincial Chest Hospital, Shillong, where they interacted with healthcare officials and observed the distribution of nutritional food support under the state government’s patronage, a comprehensive TB care initiative that aims to provide nutritional assistance to TB patients, ensuring better recovery outcomes.
The team also interacted with TB Champions Requeststar Kurbah and Ridalin Shullai, who shared their personal challenges, highlighting the stigma, challenges, and resilience required to overcome the disease. Additionally, they interacted with designated TB social influencers to gain insights into community engagement and awareness strategies.
The national media team also visited Ri-Bhoi on Thursday to assess the work being carried out under the government’s 100-day intensive TB elimination campaign. During this visit, the journalist team interacted with the Deputy Commissioner, State TB Officer, Ri-Bhoi District TB Officer and traditional healers.
While interacting with the media, Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal said that Meghalaya has undertaken several initiatives after the clarion call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to eliminate TB in the country by 2025. He informed that by maximising direct community participation, the state has been able to achieve desired outcome. Baranwal said that by engaging traditional healers and self help groups, many patients, who were earlier left out of the TB screening process, are now receiving screening services and treated for the disease. He informed the media team that nearly 10 per cent of the hamlets in the district have not reported even a single case of TB in the last year.
The National Media team will be in Shillong for the next two days and will visit Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Primary Health Centres, State TB Office and interact with the TB patients and TB Champions.