A national media team from New Delhi, under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, visited the Laitkor Sub-Centre to evaluate grassroots-level healthcare services and tuberculosis detection initiatives and progress under the 100-day TB elimination campaign.
During the visit, representatives from various news outlets engaged with doctors, ASHA workers, ANM workers and patients, who shared their experiences and challenges.
Mission Director of National Health Mission (NHM) Meghalaya, Ramkumar S, emphasised that with continued efforts, TB occurrences have already declined and the state is making steady progress this year with 10 per cent of the total villages being declared TB-free.
He expressed satisfaction that the introduction of TrueNAT machines across the state has significantly enhanced early detection, increasing testing capacity. The state government has also 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 programmes to help them reintegrate into society post-recovery.
The Laitkor Sub-Centre has been recognised as a ‘Mercury-Free Centre’, reinforcing its commitment to safer healthcare practices.
Meban Kharkongor, state coordinator, explained how healthcare workers transport these portable diagnostic devices to villages, significantly improving TB detection and early treatment access, particularly in remote areas.
The delegation also visited Reid Provincial Chest Hospital here where they interacted with healthcare officials and observed the distribution of nutritional food support from the state government, 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.
