HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Dec 7: Reaffirming Assam’s commitment to eradicating TB by 2025, in alignment with Prime Minister’s vision, Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, launched the 100-day intensified campaign TB elimination at the GMCH auditorium on Saturday.
It may be noted that to tackle TB with an aim to completely eliminate it from the country, a special 100 day campaign has started on Saturday with a focus on the high burden TB districts. Along with better drugs and diagnosis, patient support amount has also been doubled under the programme.
Related Posts:
The 100-day campaign will target 17 high-priority districts in Assam and includes activities such as high burden area mapping, identification of vulnerable populations in tea gardens, slums, and mining areas, extensive screening campaigns (Nikshay Shibirs), and promoting Jan Bhaghidari (public participation) to mobilize resources and raise awareness.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Acharya highlighted the socio economic burden of TB, which predominantly affects the poorer sections of society. He stressed on the importance of community driven efforts in making the implementation of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) an unprecedented success in Assam.
Stating the state’s achievements with regard to TB treatment, the Governor said that the patients who have been treated successfully with TB germs will act as TB Champions during this campaign. He also highlighted Assam’s innovative measures, including integration of TB services at Health and Wellness Centres under the Ayushman Bharat program, specialised initiatives like free TB treatment in tea garden areas and TB detection through boat clinics in char areas, early identification and management of TB among pregnant women.
The Governor also hailed the efforts of Ni-kshay Mitra campaign under the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, which has seen widespread participation from corporate and public sector entities, with over 8,200 Ni-kshay Mitras already registered. Contributions from organisations such as OIL India, ONGC, GAIL India, and Power Grid Corporation of India have provided critical nutritional and treatment support to TB patients.
Acharya expressed confidence in Assam’s ability to lead TB elimination efforts in the Northeast, stating, “Together, we can and will end TB. Assam will set an example in this fight against tuberculosis”, the Governor added.
