As part of the nationwide ‘100-day TB Free Campaign’, the office of the District Tuberculosis Officer of East Garo Hills in tandem with the office of District Medical and Health Officer of North Garo Hills, conducted a TB-free camp in Mendipathar today.
The programme aimed at increasing community awareness about tuberculosis, the preventive treatments and other areas entailed to curb the disease.
Addressing the event as chief guest, Mendipathar MLA Marthon J Sangma pressed upon the gathering to discard social stigma associated with TB as discrimination hinders effective treatment by causing TB patients to delay seeking medical help.
He highlighted the advancement in medical technology in curbing many deadly diseases and added that early intervention coupled with medical advancements have improved treatment outcomes. TB is curable and, therefore, social stigma linked to TB has to go away, he added.
The government is running an initiative to eliminate TB by providing full-time free treatment and necessary support to eliminate the disease from the country.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of North Garo Hills, Rezia Sangma, added the campaign should not only focus on high risk elderly patients or areas where TB is prevalent but also children who are vulnerable to the disease. She urged early diagnosis as the effective way to treat TB.
Dr CP Sangma, District Tuberculosis Officer of East Garo Hills, gave the keynote address while Dr Arfina M Sangma, District Nodal Officer for National Programme for Prevention and Control of NCD (non-communicable diseases) and Dr Priya SR Sangma, DMHO of North Garo Hills, dwelt on the objectives of the programme and other medical activities of the district.
As an encouragement to them, food baskets under the expanded nutrition support coverage were distributed by the MLA to TB patients. Nikshay Mitras who have voluntarily adopted one TB patient on treatment were also acknowledged during the programme.
Free screening of vulnerable individuals with a handheld X-Ray machine and general health checkup was also held.
