SRINAGAR, MARCH 24: On World Tuberculosis (TB) Day commemorated on March 24, functions were held at Srinagar, Anantnag and Kupwara districts of Kashmir to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB, and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic.
This year the theme of the programme was, ‘Aim is to reach the unreached as the Clock is ticking’.
At Srinagar, an awareness programme was organized by District Tuberculosis Centre Srinagar at Government Dental College to spread public awareness on the tuberculosis disease and mobilize society towards its eradication.
The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Assad who is also the chairman of District TB Control Society was the Chief Guest.
On the occasion, various speakers threw light on the tuberculosis scenario and highlighted the importance of timely diagnosis and awareness to eradicate the deadly disease.
Speaking on the occasion, the DC stressed on the need to create awareness about the symptoms, precautions and treatment to eliminate the disease from the society.
The DC also threw light on stigmatisation of T.B patients and said that we as a society have to evolve further to understand what goes in the mind of a patient who is isolated after getting infected with T.B. He said they are being stigmatized not by the extended relation or neighbours but by the family members who are in their blood relation.
He said the psychological part of disease management is equally important than medical treatment of the diseases and that is where we need to organize both the approaches viz. Medical intervention and the way society treats patients is equally important.
On raising mass awareness about the diseases, the DC said we have ULB in place, elected Corporators and elected Panchayat representatives we can involve them as they are very part of the social setup where the stigmatisation takes place it will help in a great way to raise awareness about the diseases.
In the inaugural speech, the State TB Officer Kashmir Dr Rehana Kounsar presented a comprehensive speech about TB and NTEP activities which were being provided by Primary Health Centers, TB Units and District TB Centre, Srinagar in particular.
Head of the Departments of various Hospitals including Professor Naveed Nazir Shah, HOD Chest Medicine, GMC Srinagar, Prof Muzaffar Ahmad Jan HOD Paediatrics GMC Srinagar, Prof Mohammad Saleem HOD SPM GMC Srinagar and Director STC Dr. Shamim Wani expressed their views & thoughts for Elimination of TB by 2025.
A skit related to TB was also performed by AMT students of GMC Srinagar in which they highlighted the importance of timely diagnosis of TB, its regular treatment, follow ups and to overcome the menace of social stigma which is still associated with the disease.
Besides a message regarding TB was delivered by famous poet Ayoub Sabir in which he highlighted the role of community in curbing the menace of TB.
The function was attended by various functionaries from Health & Medical Education Department including HODs, Medical Superintendents, Block Medical Officers, Zonal Medical Officers, Medical Officers, District Health Officer Srinagar, Doctors from SKIMS Bernina, SKIMS Soura and AMT School Students besides Private Practitioners, Diagnostic & Clinical Laboratories and NGOs.
At Anantnag: The World Tuberculosis Day 2021 was celebrated with great enthusiasm at Town Hall, here.
The function was presided over by Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Anantnag, Sheikh Ghulam Hassan who was also the Chief Guest on the occasion.
In his address, the ADC called for greater coordination among professionals, administrators and general public for elimination of the contagious disease. He impressed upon the health officers to implement the TB elimination efforts in tune with the Covid Mitigation strategy.
Informing about the achievements regarding TB elimination, CMO Dr. Mukhtar said that 423 notified patients were paid a total amount of Rs 8, 46,000 under NIKSHAY Yojna in 2020 in the district. He also emphasised for making diagnosis, treatment and prevention of TB affordable and accessible as per WHO guidelines to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
DTO, Dr Faheem elaborated various aspects of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) and the efforts of the district vis-à-vis its implementation. He also deliberated on this years WTBD theme, “The Clock is ticking” and on key slogans like “TB Harega Desh Jeetega” and “Nasha Mukt Bharat ” associated with NTEP.
HOD Medicine, GMC, Dr Jeelani informed that the faculty has been assisting in diagnosis, treatment and research for successful implementation of NTEP.
Later, doctors, paramedical staff, field officials and students were awarded certificates for their commendable work in TB elimination.
The programme was attended by CMO, HOD Medicine GMC, District Tuberculosis Officer, BMOs, District Immunisation Officer, DHO Kulgam, doctors, students of GMC, paramedical staff, ASHA workers and general public.
At Kupwara: The District Administration Kupwara in collaboration with the Health department today organized a function at Town Hall here, to observe World Tuberculosis (TB) Day.
The function was presided over by Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Kupwara, Nazir Ahmad Lone.
Speaking on the occasion, the ADC highlighted the importance of observing World TB Day and said that the objective of celebrating this day is to create awareness among the masses so that they can take precautions and keep themselves healthy.
He said TB is a curable and preventable disease but spreads from person to person through air. He stressed the need for organizing awareness programmes in rural as well as urban areas of the district, besides, Educational institutions.
The ADC said that efforts are on to completely eradicate Tuberculosis from the district by the year 2022.
District Tuberculosis Officer, Mohammad Ramzan gave a detailed account of the activities of the office, besides, shared healthy information with regard to prevention and cure of the disease.
The students of ANMT and AGW School presented colourful drama skit and speeches creating awareness about tuberculosis.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kauser Amin; District Health Officer, all BMOs, Civil Society, Youth Welfare Society, students of ANMT School and Army Goodwill School Wayan participated in the programme.