‘Yes, we can end TB’

Imphal: On the 44th World Tuberculosis (TB) Day the state-level observation was organised at Raj Bhavan, here, on Thursday in presence of Manipur governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.

The day which was observed under the theme, ‘Yes we can end TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver’ witnessed distribution of certificates of appreciation, food baskets by Nikshay Mitras, Kayakalp Award distribution, etc.

The governor distributed Certificates of Proficiency to IRL Laboratory and prizes were distributed to the winners of the painting competition organised in relation of the day.

A short movie on Tuberculosis elimination was shown and a testimonial from a TB recovered patient was also witnessed, highlighting the importance of early detection and treatment.

The governor said, Tuberculosis continues to pose a great challenge in India and globally and we are aware of the devastating impact this disease has on individuals, families and communities. He continued that today is a day of hope and a day to reaffirm our commitment to eliminate TB by 2025 as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under the TB-Mukt Bharat initiative.

On 100-day TB Elimination Campaign, the governor said, the initiative was implemented across six districts in Manipur since 7th December, 2024 and around 1 lakh individuals were screened leading to the identification of more than 400 new TB cases. Door-to-door testing with mobile vehicles known as ‘Nikshay Vahan’ was adopted ensuring early diagnostics and treatment in remote areas.

He said, under the Nikshay Mitra initiative, individuals and organisations who have committed to supporting TB patients through nutritional assistance have been enrolled.

He reiterated that the government is committed to ensure elimination of TB within the stipulated time and all-out efforts have been put in place to achieve the target. He appealed the people to pledge today to redouble efforts to eliminate TB so that future generations can live in a world free from TB. He commended healthcare workers, administrators and support staff who have contributed to ensuring the Kayakalp program a success.

Commissioner-cum-secretary (Health), Sumant Singh, highlighted the achievements of the 100-Day TB Elimination Campaign and the quality assurance efforts. He said Manipur has shown outstanding performance at the national level in the 100-Day TB Elimination Campaign, underscoring the state’s commitment to eliminating the dreaded disease. He said, with advancements in medical technology, new and effective methods of testing, such as Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAAT), have been developed, ensuring high sensitivity and specificity in TB detection. He expressed hope that with community engagement and participation, the campaign to eliminate TB will become even more successful.