The office of the District Tuberculosis Officer of East Jaiñtia Hills recently distributed food baskets to tuberculosis patients at Khliehriat CHC.
The distribution was supported by Star Cement Limited, Lumshnong under its CSR initiatives.
The aim of the programme is to sensitise the public on the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme and the newly launched Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
District Tuberculosis Officer, Dr. E.B.V Laloo highlighted the several ways and means which patients can practice at home to prevent the spread of Tuberculosis to other family members and urged the patients to regularly take their dosage of medicines as instructed by the health supervisors. She also said that malnutrition may also lead to the stimulation of micro bacteria that can cause the disease and underscored that three months of medication period is not enough for TB patients to recover.
She also highlighted the various schemes made available to TB patients during their medication period like the Nikshay Poshan Yojana Scheme that offers financial assistance of Rs 500 per month to such patients.
Manager-CSR, Star Cement Limited Kingshok K. Borah spoke on matters relating to TB patients and stated that there has been a decline in the number of TB patients in the district.
Others who spoke during the program include Medical Officer in-charge Khliehriat CHC, Dr. Iohbor Rymbai and Senior Treatment Supervisor (STS) Linus Manner.
After the program, package of food items including rice, mustard oil, eggs etc were distributed to more than 43 patients.