Senapati, March 26: Stressing the need for sustained community engagement and early detection, health officials in Senapati observed the 45th World Tuberculosis Day on Thursday with a focus on strengthening grassroots efforts to eliminate the disease.
The programme, held at the CMO Conference Hall of the Old District Hospital, was organised by the District Tuberculosis Centre under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme of the District Health Society, Senapati. The event was conducted in line with the ongoing “Jan-Jan Ka Rakhe Dhyaan TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan” campaign and followed the theme “Yes! We Can End TB. Led by Bharat. Powered by Janbhagari.”
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sumpi Percy, speaking at the event, underscored the importance of awareness and proactive intervention in tackling tuberculosis. She highlighted the government’s “Jan-Jan” initiative, which promotes shared responsibility among individuals and communities in achieving a TB-free India. She also drew attention to the risks posed by latent TB and multi-drug resistant TB, urging healthcare providers to integrate TB screening into routine health checks similar to tests for common conditions like hypertension and diabetes.
The CMO commended the efforts of Community Health Officers and ASHA workers for their role in identifying cases and expanding outreach. She further called on community leaders and civil society organisations to actively support awareness and screening initiatives, encouraging people with persistent symptoms to seek timely medical attention.
Medical Superintendent Dr. Helen Shimray emphasised the importance of coordinated action between the health sector and civil society. She appreciated the contributions of frontline workers in screening and mapping vulnerable populations and advocated for enhanced collaboration across departments. She also suggested shifting future programmes to the District Hospital Conference Hall to improve participation and training opportunities for healthcare professionals.
Earlier, District Tuberculosis Officer Dr. L. Muanching delivered the welcome address, outlining the evolution of India’s TB control programmes and current elimination strategies.
The event also featured a testimony from a TB champion who shared their recovery journey, while several Primary Health Centres and Health and Wellness Centres were recognised for their performance in maintaining records on the Nikshay portal.
The programme witnessed participation from district officials, medical personnel, civil society representatives, and frontline health workers.
