District TB Control Society, Srinagar observes World Tuberculosis Day

SRINAGAR : The District Tuberculosis (TB) Control Society, Srinagar, Department of Health Services Kashmir today organised a grand function at Govt Dental College, Srinagar to observe World Tuberculosis Day with a theme “Invest to End TB. Save Lives” and to celebrate milestones achieved in elimination of TB by district besides commitment towards making Nation TB free by 2025.

On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Assad was the chief guest while Additional Commissioner Kashmir, Qazi Sarwar was the guest of honour.

Speaking on the occasion, the DC said that the theme is a call to invest to eliminate TB and make India TB free for which resources have to be channelized which includes finances and diversified efforts.

He said, “Due to the pandemic, our efforts to eliminate TB got dented during the last two and half years, and underlined that steady, persistent and collaborated efforts are required to get results for TB free Srinagar”.

In this regard, District Srinagar has a vibrant TB centre which is playing its role efficiently.

He said our TB elimination score is 91.22 percent which is higher than guidelines of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Plan which is fixed at 80 percent hence district Srinagar qualifies for Sub National Certification.

The Sub National Certification is an initiative to mark the progress of districts, states and UTs towards the TB free status which was initiated in 2020 to achieve the target of TB free India by 2025.

Meanwhile, DC congratulated District TB Officer and her entire team for putting concerted efforts for achieving the milestone in elimination of TB.

He said that unfortunately society has attached a social stigma with TB for which he said that awareness among people is to be spread to eradicate this attitude and create a conducive environment so TB patients do not face any inconvenience.

He said those patients do not only need medical treatment but social and emotional support.

Additional Commissioner Kashmir while speaking on the occasion said that we should take every step to eliminate TB by 2025 for which he impressed on continuation of dedicated efforts by the health department.

Deputy Director, Health Services Kashmir, Bashir Ahmad Chalkoo said that the Prime Minister has set the target to achieve elimination of TB by 2025 five years ahead of the Global target. In this regard, he said strenuous steps are to be taken to match the target.

He informed all the district headquarters are equipped with technology and mechanics which help in detection and treatment of TB patients. He said District Budgam in J&K has been has been certified as the first district in the country to be TB free in 2020-21.

He also informed that four districts including Kupwara, Pulwama, Anantnag and Baramulla have been identified by Central TB Division for claim of Sub National Certification for year 2020-21. Besides, he said, three districts Anantnag, Pulwama and Kupwara have been awarded under Gold category with greater than 60 percent reduction in TB incidence from baseline 2015.

Chalkoo added that District Baramulla has been awarded the bronze category for more than 20 reductions in TB incidence.

Others who spoke on the occasion include District Tuberculosis Officer, Srinagar, Dr Mohammad Saleem Wani; Dr Navid Nazir Shah.

A couple of patients who have recovered from TB also spoke about the symptoms of disease and treatment and appealed to all to go for medical examination when symptoms emerge.

Among others present on the occasion were Chief Medical Officer, Srinagar; Epidemiologist Dr Talat; Doctors, Paramedics, ASHA Workers and Students.

On the occasion, a skit was presented to create awareness among the people regarding TB infection, treatment and assistance to be provided by the government including free tests, medicine and monthly Rs. 500 assistance to patients.

Appreciation certificates were also provided to ASHA workers for their contribution in elimination of TB disease.

Later, all the participants pledged to contribute for elimination of TB and signed a signature wall.