By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 21: Teams under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) Meghalaya have launched intensified screening drives across remote and inaccessible parts of the state, navigating challenging terrain and flood-affected areas to detect undiagnosed TB cases.
The initiative, supported by Corporeal Health Solutions (CHS), has seen field coordinators, technicians and mobile X-ray units traverse swollen rivers and rugged hills to reach isolated villages in districts including Ri-Bhoi, East Garo Hills and South Garo Hills. With roads submerged or damaged due to heavy monsoon rains, the teams have resorted to boats and long treks on foot to continue their work.
According to officials, the aim is to identify and treat the ‘missing’ TB patients who remain undiagnosed due to geographical or logistical barriers
. “We are focusing on hard-to-reach populations to break the chain of undetected transmission,” said a team member on the ground.
