A street play to create awareness about tuberculosis, its symptoms and treatment was organised by the office of the District Tuberculosis Society, Jaiñtia Hills today to observe World Tuberculosis month.
Senior Technical Laboratory Supervisor (STLS), Khliehriat Tuberculosis Unit, W. Siangshai in his address informed about that tuberculosis is a highly infectious disease that spreads through the air that is contaminated with TB germs when an untreated TB patient cough or sneeze. He also informed the public about pulmonary TB which affects the lungs and extra-pulmonary TB which affects other parts of the body such as bones or organs. He also stressed the importance of testing for TB, maintaining good personal hygiene, and consuming nutritious foods.
Senior Treatment Supervisor (STS), L. S. Manner spoke about the signs and symptoms of tuberculosis while also appealing to the public to immediately visit the nearest Government Health Centre, Civil Hospital, CHCs, PHCs in the district and get themselves tested for TB if they experience any symptoms such as cough for two weeks or more, fever, night sweat weight loss, cough with blood and loss of appetite.
Speaking on the course of the tuberculosis treatment, he said that the disease is curable if proper medication is taken as instructed by the doctor for the entire course of the treatment. He also informed that TB patients under treatment are eligible for nutrition support of Rs. 500 per month until the treatment is completed.
The street play concluded with a pledge to eliminate the fear of tuberculosis with the right knowledge, to be vigilant and end discrimination and stigma related to Tuberculosis, and to eliminate tuberculosis in India by 2025.
