The meeting of 3rd Kohima district TB forum was held on May 5 at DC’s conference hall. DC Gregory Thejawelie who is also the chairperson of the forum chaired the meeting.
A press release by district TB forum Kohima member secretary, Dr. Asunu Sakhrie stated that the last meeting minutes were discussed where the house was informed that sensitisation and awareness programmes for TB along with testing were ongoing activities with special focus in the health and wellness centers and hard to reach villages.
HIV test is also done whenever sputum testing takes place. A new digital X ray has been provided to DTC by the Central TB Division where installation is awaited.
Kohima district TB officer highlighted that since India was committed to end TB by 2025, the health system required participation of the community at large to help in the fight against TB.
WHO consultant, Dr. Collins stated that the missing cases increased last year both at national and state level during the pandemic, which was why community participation was important to reach the target.
DPO, DAPCU Sentimongla Tzudir shared about the increase in HIV positivity in the last financial year and requested for more platforms where awareness on HIV and AIDS along with voluntary testing.
Meanwhile, the house decided to work on the various agendas to reach out to the masses.
The house decided to sensitise elected representatives of the district on TB and HIV through DPDB platform to build a strong political and administrative commitment.
For rural areas, joining hands with RD department to create awareness in the rural areas; in urban areas, co-ordination with the different wards for which TB staffs can be called for sensitisation whenever any such meetings are held with the DC office.
It discussed on social welfare department (Poshan Abhiyan) to be included so that avenues for nutritional benefits to TB patients could be looked into which can increase the service uptake; sensitisation on TB during the Nasha Mukht Abhiyan programmes in the district.
To have equal participation with women, the department of women development and Nagaland state commission for women were requested to include TB sensitisation and awareness programmes in any of their activities where TB health staff could provide their service.
The meeting was attended and represented by members from CMO Kohima, DIO, Kohima municipal council, ADC Kohima, WHO consultant NTEP program, women resource development department, Nagaland state commission for women, legal consultant H&FW, KNP+ president, KNP+ project coordinator, DAPCU and cured TB patient.