Shillong, Nov 25: An awareness programme on tuberculosis today has called on youth to join the ‘NexGen TB Champions’ initiative to pave the way for a TB-free Meghalaya through community empathy and youth-led advocacy.
YOUNITE India, in collaboration with the Meghalaya Tuberculosis Elimination Network (MTEN) and the School of Social Work, Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) organised a sensitisation and awareness programme on TB at MLCU Hall in Nongrah.
The event aimed to motivate a dynamic youth-led network, mobilizing their energy, passion, and potential to combat TB. It brought together health officials, mental health experts, survivors, and students from across the state for a critical dialogue.
District Tuberculosis Officer Dr. Bayarilin Shanpru in her speech emphasised the importance of preventive healthcare. She urged the community to break the cycle of lifestyle diseases through immediate personal action, highlighting the need to bridge the gap between medical access and individual responsibility. “It is time we take our health into our own hands by adopting a healthy lifestyle and going for regular screenings,” she said, stressing that early detection and positive daily habits are key to building a healthier future.
Advocate & SCM of YOUNITE India and an MDR-TB survivor, Ridalin Shullai shared her inspiring journey from diagnosis to recovery, demonstrating that TB can be defeated. She stressed on adhering to treatment and overcoming fear, urging others to prioritise their well-being and seek timely medical help.
Clinical psychologist Dr. Jasmine led an interactive session on tackling stigma, mental health, and community support. She highlighted how fear of judgment isolates patients, making community support as vital as medical treatment. “The bacteria affect the lungs, but the stigma affects the soul. We must ensure that while medicines cure the body, our compassion cures their mind,” she said, urging empathy over distance.
