Nearly 100 villages in North Garo Hills have been declared as free of tuberculosis and were felicitated for this today.
The programme was organised by the District Tuberculosis Officer in Resubelpara.
The villages were identified based upon six indicators outlined under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) to eliminate Tuberculosis and achieve TB-free status by 2025.
The 98 villages are served by 11 primary health centres and were awarded certificates and bronze statuettes of Mahatma Gandhi to commemorate the Father of the Nation’s vision for healthy villages.
If the villages are able to maintain their TB-free status for two years, they will receive a silver statuette of the Mahatma. Subsequently, if they are able to extend that status to three years, they will receive a gold statuette.
Speaking as the chief guest during the occasion, NGH’s Deputy Commissioner AK Singh lauded the Health Department and the concerned stakeholders for their involvement towards the elimination of tuberculosis. He exhorted the need for concerted efforts of the health workers and the community for the overall achievement of a TB-free village status.
The District Tuberculosis Officer, Dr Chrissie Pearly M Sangma, highlighted the six indicators for TB-free village status and added that every village must adhere to the indicators and commit themselves to eliminating the disease.
“Tuberculosis is fatal but with proper treatment and moral support for the patient, the disease is curable”, added Dr Sangma.
Nikshay mitras, or donors, under the Nikshay Poshan Yojana were also felicitated for voluntarily providing financial support to TB patients.
