GUWAHATI: World TB Day on March 24 has brought a proud moment for Assam.
According to a press release, two districts of Assam - Kamrup (M) and Darrang - have been selected to get bronze medals in the recent evaluation of Sub-National Certification towards 'TB Free Status' in India. On the occasion of World TB Day tomorrow, the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare will confer the award in the presence of State Health Minister Keshab Mahanta.
According to Dr Avijit Basu, Joint Director of Health Services (TB)-cum-State TB Officer, National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), Assam, these two districts have been able to reduce the TB incidence rate by 20% in 2021, compared to 2015. Dr. Basu, along with senior officials of the health department, will be attending the World TB Day function at New Delhi, organized by the Government of India. State TB Cell, Assam, in collaboration with its partner organizations, will also organize a motorcycle rally tomorrow from the Directorate of Health Services at Hengrabari here. The participants in the rally, comprising health workers and TB champions, will participate in an advocacy meeting with Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup, Joint Director of Health Services Kamrup, and elected representatives of the district. After the meeting, the rally will move towards Nalbari district to participate in a public meeting with private providers, religious leaders and elected representatives. To showcase the reduction of the stigma on tuberculosis as well as 'Step up to End TB', the rally participants will also participate in a friendly football match with TB Champions (cured TB patients) in Mushalpur of the Baksa district. The rally, covering around 200 kilometers, will be flagged off by Harmeet Singh, Commissioner of Police, Guwahati. A total 38,102 TB patients were diagnosed in the year 2021, with 83 percent treatment success rate. To support nutrition of TB patients, a monthly sum of Rs 500 was given to 27,528 TB patients during the year 2021. To achieve TB elimination by 2025 in the State, the World TB Day activities this year are focused to get support from elected representatives, religious leaders and private providers.
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