Lok Sabha MP Agatha K. Sangma today distributed nutritional food baskets to TB patients at the District Tuberculosis Hospital, Tura as part of the newly launched scheme Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (PMTBMBA).
The programme was organised by District Tuberculosis Office, West Garo Hills District under the umbrella of National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme, Meghalaya.
Speaking during the brief function, Sangma expressed her appreciation to the doctors and staff for their dedicated service towards the elimination of Tuberculosis in the district in connection with the Government of India initiative to eliminate TB by 2025.
She stated that in order to eliminate the disease, support and cooperation of both the doctors and patients is necessary adding that patients need to take medicine regularly and complete the course and also consume nutritious food. She also urged the patients to cooperate and help accelerate the country’s progress towards elimination of TB in the district.
Sangma also expressed her appreciation to the testimony of TB warriors and advised others to endure and bear witness to the success of the elimination programme.
Meanwhile, the District Tuberculosis Officer, Dr. Litha Sangma presented the progress report of the elimination of Tuberculosis in West Garo Hills as per the directive of the Government of India and informed that the district has achieved 93 per cent of the target and that the success rate is 83 per cent summing up to one of the Best Performing District in the State.
She also mentioned that they visit homes of the patients for counseling the patients and the family members, organise community awareness programmes in villages including awareness programmes in schools and colleges, etc.
Dr. Sangma further mentioned during the gathering that anyone who has symptoms like cough of any duration, fever, night sweat, loss of appetite can come forward for sputum test or can bring anybody who has these symptoms to TB Hospital and if they are diagnosed with the disease then the person would be awarded with incentive.
Moreover, the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan aims at eradicating tuberculosis in the country by providing free diet or nutrition to such patients.
Biginchi Momin, a TB Champion also gave her testimony during the function. Momin had gone through such a difficult phase in her life but championed with her patience and determination and is now continuing her studies after two years of treatment.
It may be noted that Tura MP Agatha K. Sangma, Babelapara MDC Rakesh A. Sangma, Subir Marak from Garobadha, State Bank of India, Ampati Branch Manager Jasmine B A Sangma, GHADC MDC Habibuz Zaman, Mehtab Chandi A. Sangma, Akki A. Sangma, Marbilline R. Sangma, Akhtar Ali, Hope –Ladies Engineer Group, Tura have generously donated for 212 TB patients in West Garo Hills.
The function was also attended by Joint Director, Health and Family Welfare (Garo Hills Division) Dr. M R Sangma, Senior Medical Officer Tura TB Hospital Dr. Riksilchi M. Sangma, staff and patients of District TB Hospital attended the function.
