A CORRESPONDENT
BOMDILA: The District Health Society of West Kameng, under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Akriti Sagar, observed World Tuberculosis Day with the theme “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver.”
The main event took place at Kameng Club, Bomdila, alongside simultaneous observances at 34 health centers across the district. Addressing the gathering, Deputy Commissioner Akriti Sagar commended the District Tuberculosis Officer (DTO) and her team for their dedicated efforts, making West Kameng one of the best-performing districts in TB control. She stressed the importance of community participation in eradicating the disease.
“TB is a communicable disease. Early detection is key to eradication. If any person or village receives a diagnosis, it is crucial to share the information with the community to ensure timely intervention,” she stated, assuring full administrative support in the mission to make West Kameng TB-free. Highlighting the availability of effective treatment, she urged Nikshay Mitras, Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), and other stakeholders to actively spread awareness about TB prevention and treatment. District Tuberculosis Officer Newang Drema provided an overview of the district’s TB control efforts, presenting a PowerPoint report on its progress. She outlined key symptoms, including persistent cough (over two weeks), evening fever, loss of appetite, and weight loss, urging immediate testing for early diagnosis. She acknowledged the role of Nikshay Mitras in supporting TB patients and revealed that 27 gram panchayats in the district have been declared TB-free. Of these, three received the Silver Award, while 24 were honored with the Bronze Award. Drema further highlighted the incentives available under the Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) and reported an impressive 97.2% TB treatment success rate in the district. District Medical Officer Dr. R.D. Thongchi delivered the welcome address, underscoring the significance of World TB Day and recalling the discovery of the TB-causing bacterium by Robert Koch on March 24, 1882.During the event, Nikshay Mitras and the best-performing Gram Panchayats were felicitated for their contributions to TB eradication. The event concluded with attendees taking the TB-free pledge, reaffirming their commitment to a TB-free West Kameng.
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